FRED JONNY BERG (b.1973): Warning Zero, Op. 54b, Pastorale, Op. 32/1, Vicino alla Montagna, Op. 58b, Flute Concerto No. 1, Op. 70, Flute Mystery for Flute, Harp and Orchestra, Op. 66b.

Description: It's really a shame that the sound geeks at 2L are releasing music of such compelling quality in their two-disc format, with one being a sound-only Blu-Ray disc, making the price ridiculously expensive for people who collect music rather than sound. For Berg is a composer with a very original way of writing tonal, approachable music, using diatonic, polytonal and modal harmonies, building effective spans of tension and release, able to produce powerful, driving and energetic music (the film music Vicino alla Montagna which depicts the rugged mountains of Norway and the giddily threatening Warning Zero) as well as to conjure soundscapes of mystical calm and peace (Flute Mystery and the concerto, written for and premiered by these forces just six months ago). And all without a hint of minimalism or neo-romantic pastiche. Pity about the "audiophile high concept" stuff... Emily Beynon (flute), Catherine Beynon (harp), Philharmonia Orchestra; Vladimir Ashkenazy. SACD hybrid and Blu-Ray Audio discs.