Sao Paulo SO; John Neschling - Camargo Guarnieri: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4; Abertura Festiva (2003)

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Sao Paulo SO; John Neschling - Camargo Guarnieri: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4; Abertura Festiva (2003)

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Continuing its excellent series of Guarnieri Symphonies, the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra under John Neschling presents another program of marvelous music that deserves the widest possible exposure outside of its native Brazil. Guarnieri's First Symphony was composed in 1944 and dedicated to Serge Koussevitsky. It's as fine an example of American (in the widest sense) neo-classicism as anything by Copland, Harris, or Piston, and it's worth pointing out that this confidently mature work actually precedes much of those composers' symphonic output, as it does, say, Tippett's, whose rhythmic complexity and contrapuntal business it in some ways resembles. The central slow movement, marked "Profundo", is particularly well sustained and supports the composer's claim to be regarded a major 20th century symphonist.

Symphony No. 4, in three brief movements lasting less than 20 minutes, is subtitled "Brasília", but it's dedicated to Leonard Bernstein and was largely composed in New York. Both Bernstein and the composer were especially impressed by the marvelous central slow movement (which is as long as the two outer movements combined), and in particular with its "crazy" climax. A pellucid, formally elegant, richly scored work based on Brazilian folk music (but never slavishly so and never at the expense of structural coherence), it would make a terrific "first half" piece at a typical symphony concert. The Abertura Festiva lives up to its name, being brilliantly scored with an especially colorful percussion battery–and like the eponymous piece by Shostakovich, it's simply a joy from start to finish.

If you acquired the first disc in this series (and if you didn't, you should be ashamed), then you know that Neschling and his orchestra turn in first-rate playing. Only a bit of strain in the big fugue toward the end of the First Symphony's opening movement reveals the string players under pressure, but otherwise this is world-class music-making in the service of world-class music. Glorious sonics, solid on the bottom and bright but never shrill on top, complete a most attractive picture.

Review by David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

Mozart Camargo Guarnieri (1907-93) composed seven symphonies in all. John Neschling’s first issue (12/02) was something of a revelation, featuring two thoroughly attractive examples, plus the Abertura Concertante. Unfortunately, the three works on this second disc – again two symphonies separated by an overture – prove to be neither as entertaining nor as engaging. Guarnieri planned his First Symphony (1944) for several years before he came to write it, but then had to temper his ideas in order to fulfil the requirements of an orchestral competition. The resulting work is earnest and well put together, but rather charmless, the music seeming to frown constantly. There is some impressive orchestral writing, nonetheless, and the work was the springboard for the more compelling works that followed.

The Fourth (1959-63), like No 1 in three movements (fast-slow-fast), also began life as a competition entry, for the inauguration of the new capital of Brasilia. However, the composer was appointed to the jury so could not submit an entry and as a result the symphony was worked at in dribs and drabs, often set aside for other tasks. Guarnieri stated that while not specifically descriptive, it could be taken as a metaphor for the transformation of the landscape into the finished city. I find the result formulaic and remarkably soulless, so perhaps he was more successful – or prophetic – than he knew.

The São Paulo orchestra clearly relish their task, as before, and make a good case for both larger pieces. Most engaging is the brief Festive Overture (1971) with lots of percussion. Neschling directs with energy and the sound is first rate.

Review by Guy Rickards, Gramophone

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Sao Paulo SO; John Neschling - Camargo Guarnieri: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4; Abertura Festiva (2003)

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Sao Paulo SO; John Neschling - Camargo Guarnieri: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4; Abertura Festiva (2003)

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Sao Paulo SO; John Neschling - Camargo Guarnieri: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4; Abertura Festiva (2003)

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