This is one of the few recordings available of a Bernard Herrmann composition that is *not* film related. Dedicated to Charles Ives (who, when told of this dedication, predicted that the association would not be helpful to Herrmannn), it is a somber, powerful rendition of some key points in the Melville novel.Unfortunately, this recording was originally made in the 1960s and financed by the composer. The sound quality is just a shade off and there a few climatic sections that noticeably distort - something that would never pass muster today. The orchestra has a little difficulty in spots as well. But these are only brief moments that are easily overlooked.
Herrmann spent a lot of time and thought on his music and this cantata is no exception. The "sermon of Jonah" section is a perfect replication of a harmonium accompanied congregation in a New England church - as it should be since Herrmann made a point of attending services at several such churches as part of his background research. The final sinking of the Pequod in the novel is perfectly captured also: at the moment when the ship goes down, a sea-bird, circling the mast, is trapped and dragged down with the ship. It is no wonder that the last cry of the doomed ship in the cantata is a brief, frantic, shriek from the piccolo before the waves roar in.
Moby Dick is a devastating, stunning piece of music. By all means do not miss an opportunity to listen to it.
For the Fallen, by contrast, is a more conventional work for orchestra alone that tends to a more harmonically conventional path than Moby Dick. It is a serene, melancholy lament in e-minor that swells to a dramatic outpouring of grief, slowly fading away into the mist from which it emerges. The work provides a fitting contrast to the overwhelming awe and majesty of Moby Dick and nicely rounds out the album.
Definitely a must-have for Herrmann fans but also for those who love well thought-out dramatic music.
