Most people have experienced musical recordings that, no matter what genre, demand to be listened to over and over again.
These moments hold some sort of power over your soul; you hum and whistle them, tap out the rhythm on your chair, maybe conduct a bit to the orchestra in your head. (This last one might just be me.)
On Friday, the Grammy award-winning Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra released its latest album, the eighth in the Pittsburgh Live! series on the Reference Recordings label, sourced from multiple live concerts and a patch session. It includes Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, “Eroica,” and Strauss’ Horn Concerto No. 1 with renowned PSO principal horn player William Caballero.
The new disc is more energizing than your morning espresso. More detailed than the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling. More colorful than looking through a kaleidoscope while on acid (in theory).
PSO music director Manfred Honeck describes the four movements of the “Eroica” as “dance movements, each with a distinctive character” in the liner notes. Under his direction, the orchestra twists sinuously, exploding into glorious, brazen leaps at times and slithering and shuffling at others. What makes this orchestra’s recordings so enjoyably distinctive are the details in every note and nuance, and a guileless enthusiasm for the music at hand.
There are several moments that insist on repeated listening, almost like a thing alive: The first is the opening E-flat major triads that initiate the symphony, so sharply articulate that it feels like a cold bucket of water. The second is in the trio of the scherzo when the horn section enjoys a moment of rubato, holding onto the opening notes before mellowing their timbre and rocketing up through the arpeggio with gusto.
As to the Strauss. Mr. Caballero is one of the top horn players today, and his performance is richly nuanced, full of youthful bravura and charisma. Once again, the rousing opening call deserves to be played on repeat, while the subsequent lyrical playing caresses the ears with that noble sentiment that only the horn can evoke.
Earlier this year, the PSO earned a pair of Grammy awards for its recording of the Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 paired with Barber’s Adagio for Strings. I’ve heard both many times. This new recording is every bit as magnificent. Watch for another nomination for the Mr. Honeck, Mr. Caballero, the PSO and the wizards at Soundmirror recording and sound engineering.
The album is available at referencerecordings.com and amazon.com. It can also be streamed on Spotify.
Jeremy Reynolds: jreynolds@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1634; twitter: @Reynolds_PG. Mr. Reynolds' work at the Post-Gazette is supported by a grant from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the Getty Foundation and the Rubin Institute.
First Published: September 21, 2018, 11:00 a.m.
