Credits:

Thibault Cauvin

Description:

A collection of concertos by two American composers from the mid-20th century. One is Danny Elfman, former leader of the rock band Oingo Boingo and known for his numerous film scores, including "Batman" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas. This violin concerto, written for violinist Sandy Cameron, whom he met while composing, is the first of his works to be written in a classical style. The title "Eleven Eleven" is due to the fact that the entire piece consists of exactly 1,111 bars, and also due to the coincidence that the German word 11 (elf) is also hidden within Elfman's last name. The work has an atmosphere reminiscent of Shostakovich and Prokofiev, but with a highly individualistic style that is enjoyable to listen to. In contrast, Hailstork's work is a concerto full of energy and exuberance that reflects the rich tradition of the blues, with its African-American roots and love of jazz, as well as a reverence for the classical Western tradition, including Gregorian chant.The piano in this piece is played by Canadian mid-career Stewart Goodyear. You can enjoy his excellent technique and sharp sense of rhythm. Naxos Japan