Composer of the Fortnight : George Enescu

Yesterday I listened to an old LP of two of Enescu´s piano works, and was happily reminded of how rewarding and enjoyable this composer can be. The Second Suite for piano is a reasonably early work, and a wonderfully life afirming piece full of warmth and colour, similar in that sense to his exuberant Romanian Rhapsodies and Poeme Roumain.

The other piece was his first Piano Sonata from the 1920´s a very different work full of that mystery that for me is a hallmark of his later work. The first movement reminded me of Keith Jarrett as much as anything, and the last is a glorious langorous affair. I´ve just checked and it was composed in the same year as Frank Bridge´s great sonata, but that´s another story.

Listening to these made me realise that I haven´t heard any Enescu that I wouldn´t recommend. I haven´t made up my mind about his opera Oedipe yet, I´ll have to give it a few more listens, but the pieces I´ve already mentioned along with his Third Orchestral Suite, and the two string quartets are well worth getting to know. I would reserve a particular mention for his Third Violin Sonata, arguably the greatest thing he wrote, my version is on a Hyperion CD, the orchestral works can be found on one of those very well priced Ultima doubles. I don´t know if the piano works are available on CD.

Enescu´s oeuvre only stretches to 33 opus numbers, but there is still a lot I haven´t heard, most notably the symphonies, a host of chamber pieces and Vox Maris, so I would appreciate any opinions or guidance.

It´s a glorious day outside, and I´m listening to that Second Piano Suite whilst writing this, it really does fit the bill, the sun shines right through this piece.