GEORGE ANTHEIL : Symphonies 4 & 5 (Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt · Hugh Wolff) (2000) Two Version | APE (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

"The symphony is probably the most complete musical depiction of an American circus that has ever been written. There is everything in it: the music of a military band, waltzes, sentimental ditties, a Red Army song, eccentric dances - every kind of joke, acrobatic allusions and glamorous monstrosities. It is brilliant, hard, noisy, pretentious, effective and incredibly real. And all its melodies are memorable," said Virgil Thompson after the premiere of George Antheil's Symphony No. 4, subtitled "1942", in February 1944. While this review is certainly enthusiastic, the work is far more impressive and serious than it would have us believe. In reality, it is a symphony that could only have been written in this way during the Second World War and which, in Antheil's own words, expresses his feelings during this war. An equal sibling work to Shostakovich's Seventh and Eighth Symphonies. Antheil's 5th Symphony is the exact opposite, as its title "Joyous" suggests. Playful, sarcastic, full of musical irony: an orchestral bravura stroke without equal. Hugh Wolff delivers brilliant interpretations with his Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra. jpc.de
GEORGE ANTHEIL (1900-1959)
Symphony No 4 »1942« (1942-43)    (33:26)
Symphony No 5 »Joyous« (1947-48)    (22:10)

Conductor – Hugh Wolff
Orchestra – Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt