I have been indulging in a Weinberg festival for the last 4 months. (don't think a note of his has been programmed here in Australia - will somebody prove me wrong?) He can be as raw as Penderecki, or as mellow as Chopin. His scope is incredible - from children's songs to opera noir.
The imposing two-minute introduction features ominous drum-beats with an incredible build-up of tension, followed by a melancholy passage on the strings which soon ends in a quiet submission. The next section (movement?) finds a renewed and aggressive strength which leads to a lyrical triumph (3rd movement?) and a deserved rest with pan-like cadenzas on oboe, then clarinet (4th movement?) Stabbing chords on the strings which the piano, then muted horns join to emphasize, turn the proceedings into a sustained cacophony (5th movement?). An eerie, mournful lyricism, reinforced by the celesta, begins the final section, which an angry clarinet soon interrupts, but is to return later in a calmer mood, making room for the flute, accompanied by pizzicato strings, to end the symphony in enigmatic beauty. Weinberg's 16th is the first of his symphonies I've heard. It won't be the last.
As I stated below Symphonies 9, 11, 13 and 15 were not recorded but I was expecting Naxos, CPO or others to eventually record it. Naxos has now released Symphony 13 under CD#8.573879.
Tragic and very haunting piece. Recommended. I like it even more than his 5th symphony. Also, I want to hear your opinion on the meaning of this symphony. I think it may have a hidden programme.
Any Weinberg experts here? There are no recordings of Symphonies #'s 9, 11,13,15, & 21. Kind of odd that they are all odd numbered works as well. I am also not certain if # 2 has been recorded (ever?).
Symphonies 9, 11, 13 and 15 were not recorded. Judged by their description, the powers-that-be might have decided they would not be popular to perform. You might wish to look for them in future possibly on the following labels: Naxos, Chandos, Praga, CPO, Melodyia or Hyperion. As of September 14, 2018, Naxos has released Symphony 13 under CD#8.573879.
