Tomasson concerto - a major find
A particular highpoint of this disk is the second flute concerto of the Icelandic composer Haukur Tomasson. This is exceptionally intelligent and aurally engaging music, and perhaps easier to grasp in formal terms than the rather sprawling (though attractive, and beautifully played) Aho concerto that precedes it. Tomasson has some of the constructivist logic and precision that is so satisfying to the mind in Bartok's music, without sounding in any way like the Hungarian master. I immediately went in search of other music by this highly imaginative contemporary composer. A word of warning to those interested in the Bis disc containing his first flute concerto. Due to the restriction on downloading longer items separately you will have to acquire the second concerto all over again, in exactly the same performance, if you want to make the acquaintance of the fine first concerto, and the amazingly elephantine duo concerto for double basses.
