Lukas Foss leads the Zimbler Sinfonietta in Bartok, Ives and more

A quick post today as I get myself ready to head north to Mount Snow, Vermont for their annual Oktoberfest festivities. Last weekend, the band was performing at the Harpoon Brewery on the Boston waterfront. Though rain put a damper on Friday night, the weather held for Saturday and the event drew over 10,000 thirsty patrons!

Here is the Turnabout reissue of the Unicorn record pictured above. I dissed the electronic stereo enhancement and returned the record back to its monophonic charm. Rather cutely, if you look at the cover of the Unicorn issue Lukas Foss, the conductor, has his name spelled "Lucas." Foss leads the reliable Zimbler Sinfonietta in engaging performances of the following works:

Ives - The Unanswered Question, trumpet solo Roger Voisin
Milhaud - Symphony no. 4 for strings
Skalkottas - Little Suite for strings
Bartok - Divertimento for string orchestra

There is vigorous leadership here, you might say, youthful, as Foss was in his mid 30's at the time of the recording. I think a lot of people forget just how gifted Foss was. Indeed, he was a close second in popularity to his esteemed associate Leonard Bernstein. Both shared teachers, had rich and varied talents, and were able to cross over easily into more popular forms of musical expression. Brilliant men both, without question. This record makes a strong case for Lukas Foss the modern conductor and his grasp on each piece is strong and musical.

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