Lees: Symphony No. 4 "Memorial Candles"
Benjamin Lees has taken on a formidable task here, attempting to memorialize victims of the Holocaust in a symphony. Using the poetry of Nelly Sachs was an inspired idea, as she treats the subject in the only way it can be treated effectively--obliquely, focusing on details rather than the overall horror. But the three long movements, lasting more than an hour, don't maintain the same viewpoint; the music is unremittingly somber but lacking in distinctive elements. It winds up sounding like a soundtrack for a documentary, despite the eloquence of all the performers involved. Naxos's presentation (including poetry texts) and recording quality are excellent.--Leslie Gerber