Marcel Poot: Symphonies Nos 1-7

Marcel Poot: Symphonies Nos 1-7

8.574292-93 (Naxos, CD, 2 discs)

DDD/ADD
Stereo/Mono
COMPILATION (14 May 2021)

Playing time: 65'47"/75'39" - TT 141'26"
Tracks: 9 + 12
Booklet pages: 20
℗ 1960, 1977, 1995–1996 Naxos Rights (Europe) Ltd
© 2021 Naxos Rights (Europe) Ltd
Main country of recording: Russia
Country of manufacture: Germany
Reviewer: Geoff Pearce
Review of Marcel Poot: Symphonies Nos 1-7 published on 3 June 2021

BRTN Philharmonic Orchestra (Symphony No 1)
Hans Rotman, conductor (Symphony No 1)
Belgian National Radio Symphony Orchestra (Symphony No 2)
Franz André, conductor (Symphony No 2)
Moscow Symphony Orchestra (Symphonies 3 and 5-7)
Frédéric Devreese (Symphonies 3 and 5-7)
Antwerp Philharmonic Orchestra (Symphony No 4)
Léonce Gras, conductor (Symphony No 4)

Marcel Poot (1901-1988):

CD1

Symphony No 1 (1929) (first recording)
1 Allegro vivo
2 Andante
3 Rondo: Jazz - Allegro

Symphony No 2 (1937)
4 Allegro risoluto
5 Andante tranquillo
6 Finale - Moderato assai

Symphony No 3 (1952)
7 Lento - Allegro impetuoso
8 Andante funerale
9 Allegro vivo e resoluto

CD2

Symphony No 4 (1970) (first recording)
1 Allegro con fuoco
2 Andante quieto
3 Allegro con spirito

Symphony No 5 (1974) (first recording)
4 Allegro vivo
5 Adagio
6 Vivace

Symphony No 6 (1978) (first recording)
7 Impetuoso
8 Andante maestoso
9 Allegro scherzando

Symphony No 7 (1982) (first recording)
10 Molto animato
11 Andante moderato
12 Allegro impetuoso

Belgian composer Marcel Poot was one of the most striking musical figures of his time, with a spicy compositional style which exemplified his zest for life. His cycle of seven symphonies, the earliest of which show the influence of Ravel, Stravinsky and jazz, reveal a clear preference for Classical balance and non-programmatic form. Predominantly tonal, the symphonies are notable for their rhythmic energy, colourful orchestration and lyricism. Symphonies Nos 1 and 4-7 are first recordings.

Recorded 3 July 1996 (Symphony No 1, Belgian Radio recording in Studio 4, Flageyplein, Brussels, Belgium, stereo DDD, first release), January 1995 (Symphonies 3, 5 and 7, Mosfilm Studio, Moscow, Russia, stereo DDD, previously released on Marco Polo 8.223805), October 1994 (Symphony No 6, Mosfilm Studio, Moscow, Russia, stereo DDD, previously released on Marco Polo 8.223775), 5 November 1971 (Symphony No 4, Queen Elisabeth Hall, Antwerp, Belgium, Stereo ADD, previously released on Cultura 5073-3), June and July 1960 (Symphony No 2, Belgian Radio recording in Studio 4, Flageyplein, Brussels, Belgium, mono ADD, first release)