Gerhard: Concerto for Orchestra / Symphony No. 2

Spanish composer Roberto Gerhard (1896-1970) is one of the most underappreciated composers of the 20th century, whose music is only now, thanks primarily to this new series by Chandos, coming into major recognition. Gerhard's music transcends any easy categorizing. Suffice to say that it's a rigorous (almost radical) postmodernism that employs extreme musical textures and sonic embellishments of surprising complexity. However, this music is not for everyone, especially those expecting Bartók when listening to Gerhard's Concerto for Orchestra (1965) or anything like Manuel de Falla's brand of romanticism in the astonishingly breathtaking Symphony No. 2 (1955). What is even more astonishing is the pristine and frighteningly exact performances that Matthias Bamert gets out of the BBC Symphony Orchestra here. This will knock your teeth out. --Paul Cook