Vivid testimony to the multifaceted partnership of James Gaffigan and the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, their latest release invites us to explore the conductor’s American roots, from the most mischievous (Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story) to the spiritual (Charles Ives’ Symphony No.3, based on his works for solo organ). With dramatically potent dissonances, Ruth Crawford’s Andante for strings casts a spell in the form of a hypnotic and restless nocturne, while Samuel Barber’s boldly athletic Toccata for organ and orchestra reveals a rarely heard aspect of this well-known master. An electrifying performance!
1 Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from 'West Side Story': 1. Prologue. Allegro Moderato 2 Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from 'West Side Story': 2. Somewhere. Adagio 3 Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from 'West Side Story': 3. Scherzo. Vivace E Leggiero 4 Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from 'West Side Story': 4. Mambo. Meno Presto 5 Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from 'West Side Story': 5. Cha-Cha. Andantino Con Grazia 6 Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from 'West Side Story': 6. Meeting Scene. Meno Mosso 7 Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from 'West Side Story': 7. Cool Fugue. Allegretto 8 Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from 'West Side Story': 8. Rumble. Molto Allegro 9 Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from 'West Side Story': 9. Finale. Adagio 10 Ives: Symphony No.3 'The Camp Meeting': I. Old Folks Gatherin'. Andante Maestoso 11 Ives: Symphony No.3 'The Camp Meeting': II. Children's Day. Allegro 12 Ives: Symphony No.3 'The Camp Meeting': III. Communion. Largo 13 Barber: Ouverture to 'The School for Scandal' Op.5 14 Crawford: Andante for Strings 15 Barber: Toccata Festiva Op.36 for Organ and Orchestra
