CCMusic.com

The present cpo recording of George Enescu's Fourth Symphony in E minor is, like the Symphony No. 5 in D (cpo 777 823-2) another world-premiere release from Peter Ruzicka and the NDR Philharmonie, Hannover. The composer's Rumanian idiom is subtly present, in many instances employing old church mode scales, or scales based on Byzantine tradition, combining them with familiar keys of the major-minor system. Much later, in Paris and in poor health, Enescu composed his Chamber Symphony op. 33 for twelve solo instruments, his last work that in every way has the character of a last will and testament.