William Schuman: Violin Concerto, New England Triptych; Ives: Variations on America

In addition, it is full of instantaneous changes of mood and character, demanding utmost control of tone, nuance, inflection, and expression. Philip Quint negotiates all these technical and musical hurdles with easy virtuosity, aplomb, poise, and stylistic empathy. His tone soars rapturously in the lyrical parts, his playing is forceful but never rough. The two pieces of Americana show Schuman in a different, gentle, intimate light, though the first of the Triptych also abounds with brass and percussion. Ives's Variations, masterfully orchestrated, are a grand joke, poking fun at every imaginable dance form and even including his trademark polytonal imitation of two bands playing simultaneously. These "American Classics," interestingly, are performed entirely by non-American players: a Russian-born violinist, an English orchestra, and a conductor of Polish-Uruguayan descent. Music is indeed a universal language. --Edith Eisler