Suite and Serious

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Price: $20.98

Audio Samples: 
Amusement Park Suite (935.10 kb)
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Symphony No. 1 (934.29 kb)
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Call Number: CD 1150
Organization: Sinfonia Varsovia
Media Type: CD
Year of Release: 2012
Record Label: Albany Records

The four orchestral works on this CD provide a concert program revealing a composer of substantial music thought. Michael S. Horwood’s compositional style has an original stamp, yet he is not averse to employing stylistic elements and compositional techniques that suit any situation. Horwood does not pander or patronize: he has something to say, and he says it very effectively and enjoyably.

Horwood composed the National Park Suite in 1990 as a sequel to the earlier Amusement Park Suite. Both suites are cast in a five movement form providing miniature tone-poems of specific and engaging locales. The relationship between the two suites is similar to that between the suites that make up Respighi’s famous Roman trilogy. The need to write a symphony has been part of a composer’s psyche since Haydn and Horwood was not immune or averse to heeding its call. Written in 1984, Symphony No. 1 traverses neo-classical territory, while Horwood’s Intravariations for piano and orchestra is decidedly romantic.

"Collectors take note: this is 80 minutes of terrific music by a composer of real personality and style. Try it. I feel certain you'll want more."
- David Hurwitz,

"...all this music is undemanding and enjoyable, straight off.... the disc is recommended."

- Paul Ingram, Fanfare Magazine

1-5. National Park Suite

6-8. Symphony No. 1

9. Intravariations

10-14. Amusement Park Suite

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