Alexander Brincken, born in Leningrad in 1952 and Swiss-based since 1992, writes in an accessible and unashamedly late-Romantic language. His grandiose Fourth Symphony of 2014-15, written for a huge orchestra, has echoes of a number of earlier composers, among them Berlioz, Bruckner, Martinu, Wagner and, especially, Franz Schmidt and Richard Strauss, all assimilated into a big-hearted style that blends dignity, lyricism and power, with a strong sense of the Swiss landscapes in which he has made his home. The earlier Capriccio for piano and orchestra - a concerto in all but name - has, in turn, something of the sober strength and wiry energy of Frank Martin - curiously, since it was written seven years before Brincken moved to Switzerland. Rainer Held's recent Sutermeister recording for Toccata Classics was a revelation, and here's proof that he has not yet run out of symphonic surprises.

Tracklist:

Symphony No. 4 In G Minor, Op. 27: I. Moderato. Allegro
Symphony No. 4 In G Minor, Op. 27: II. Adagio
Symphony No. 4 In G Minor, Op. 27: III. Scherzo. Allegro Ben Ritmato
Symphony No. 4 In G Minor, Op. 27: IV. Finale. Allegro Molto
Capriccio For Piano & Chamber Orchestra, Op. 11: I. Meditazione I
Capriccio For Piano & Chamber Orchestra, Op. 11: II. Toccata
Capriccio For Piano & Chamber Orchestra, Op. 11: III. Capriccioso
Capriccio For Piano & Chamber Orchestra, Op. 11: IV. Meditazione II
Capriccio For Piano & Chamber Orchestra, Op. 11: V. Coda

UPC: 5060113445506
Label: Toccata
Release Date: 1.3.20
Format: CD

Brincken / Royal Scottish National Orch - Orchestral Music 1 (CD)