Stjepan Šulek (1914-1986)
Concerto for organ and orchestra "Memento" (1974)
Fantasia - Illusione - Finale
Pavao Mašić (organ)
Croatian Radio Symphony Orchestra / Vladimir Kranjčević
Koncertna dvorana Vatroslava Lisinskog, Zagreb, 24.1.2013
broadcast live on Croatian Radio HR3
http://www.mediafire.com/?q1ad2dcmi5d1f4a (Fantasia)
http://www.mediafire.com/?3ey96iutbxzm25p (Illusione - Finale)
This is yet another powerful piece by Šulek, a gripping one too, I would say, at once one of his most overtly neo-Baroque and late-Romantic, one of his most unabashedly dramatic, with echoes from Symphony No. 6 and others, and one of the most "modern-sounding" in places, due to his characteristic harmonic processes. The live performance, given tonight in Zagreb, is also quite splendid. The performers clearly believe in this music, which demands nothing short of the strongest concentration and commitment.