David Diamond, Seattle Symphony, Gerard Schwarz - Symphony No 3, Psalm, Kaddish

Published Tuesday 1st March 2005
David Diamond, Seattle Symphony, Gerard Schwarz - Symphony No 3, Psalm, Kaddish
David Diamond, Seattle Symphony, Gerard Schwarz - Symphony No 3, Psalm, Kaddish

STYLE: Classical
RATING 6 6 6 6 6 6
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 11977-
LABEL: Naxos 8559155
FORMAT: CD Album

Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

For his day job your reviewer lectures on the Old Testament, so any CD with 'Psalm' or 'Kaddish' in its title catches his eye. While I am glad I have heard this release it is not of any great relevance for either Jewish or Christian music-lovers. The Psalm was inspired by the composer's visit to the graves of Oscar Wilde and Sarah Bernhardt in Paris and dedicated to André Gide and thus has little to do with King David. The "Kaddish For Cello And Orchestra", to give it its full title, is based on the ritual Jewish prayer for the dead and played very well by Janos Starker but "The Protecting Veil" it is not. The symphony is not unlike Bernstein (Leonard rather than Elmer) mixed with Copland and a dash of Adams; it is bold and brash and is, on its own terms, rather good. As an introduction to a contemporary composer this budget reissue merits eight or nine squares but as an aid to meditation or worship it is of much less value.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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