String Cosmology

A collection of live performances culled from the Riverdale Temple and Wave Hill, the conductor Mark Mandarano illuminates the works of Karel Husa, Steven Stucky, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Edward Elgar, and Anton Bruckner. Husa's "Divertimento For String Orchestra"starts the listen with dancing strings emitting both melody and mystery in the very intricate 3 chapters that can be dramatic, too, and Stucky's "Colburn Variations"follows with much attention to atmosphere and warmth in the absorbing 13+ minutes that are cinematic and sometimes tense. Coleridge-Taylor's "Noveiette In C. Major, Op. 52, No. 2"occupies the middle spot, and uses bowing and plucking to its advantage via the manipulated string interaction, while "Serenade For Strings, Op. 20", by Elgar, blends the strings with much awe and sophistication in the album's best selection, The final piece, Bruckner's "Quintet in F Major: Adaigio", unfolds with a sublime intimacy that allows the strings to wrap themselves in a dreaminess we won't soon forget. A listen that makes great use of large chamber symphonies but that isn't lacking any solos, Mandarano's roles as principal guest conductor of the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, and the current director of the Macalester Symphony Orchestra and artistic director of the Minnesota Youth Symphonies certainly help him shape this timeless, captivating affair.

The five selections on this release were recorded in concert at two different venues in Riverdale from 2014 to 2021. The Stucky and Bruckner works were recorded at the Riverdale Temple in 2014 and 2015 respectively. The remaining selections were recorded at Wave Hill (an estate where Toscanini once resided) in 2016 (Husa) and 2021 (Coleridge-Taylor, Elgar). The sound is vivid and detailed throughout, but the selections recorded at Wave Hill have an edge in spaciousness and transparency. On the evidence of these performances, the Sinfonietta of Riverdale is a fine ensemble, and Mark Mandarano is a very capable conductor. This CD offers a diverse and entertaining program of works for string orchestra in excellent performances, and I have been unable to locate any other recordings of the Husa, Stucky, and Coleridge-Taylor selections, all of which are worth hearing. This release consequently deserves an unequivocal recommendation. Five stars: A diverse and entertaining program of works for string orchestra.