Classical reviews: June 28

Recomposed by Max Richter (Vivaldi: The Four Seasons). Daniel Hope (violin). Deutsche Grammophon CD and DVD

This 2012 ''recomposition'' excited me when I first heard it. This second release recalls the same pleasures but is enhanced by the video disc now added that shows a live 2013 performance in Berlin, with a different and enthusiastic orchestra, L'Art del Mondo.

We see Hope throw all his brilliant energy and sensitivity into Vivaldi's modified themes, alongside Richter operating on the Moog keyboard. The CD has five new tracks called Shadows, remixes too abstract. But the main work successfully merges ambient postmodern sounds sympathetically with classical music.

The recording is vivid and spacious, electronic sounds clear and clean without overpowering musicians and the soloist's tones and rhythmic fireworks.

Highlight: Liveliness of Summer, but Vivaldi is still a man for all seasons.

---

Toshio Hosokawa Orchestral Works, Vol.1. Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Naxos CD

Hosokawa (b.1955) is one of Japan's most important living composers. Born in Hiroshima, he studied composition with Isang Yun (1917-95) in Berlin before studying with Klaus Huber and Brian Ferneyhough.

Stefan Dohr is soloist in the Japanese composer's Horn Concerto Moment of Blossoming (2010, inspired by the lotus flower), co-commissioned by the Berlin Philharmonic, the Concertgebouw of Amsterdam and London's Barbican Centre.

Momo Kodama is soloist in the 2006 Piano Concerto Lotus under the moonlight (hommage a Mozart). Completing this programme is Chant (2009, influenced by ceremonial music of Japanese Buddhism), featuring Anssi Karttunen on cello. The conductor is Jun Markl.

Highlight: Western avant-garde meets traditional Japanese sensibility.

---