STEPHEN PAULUS (b.1949): Three Places for String Quartet and Orchestra, Grand Concerto for Organ and Orchestra, Veil of Tears for String Orchestra.

Description: In Three Places the solo group function sometimes as a composite soloist and sometimes engage in their own internal dialectic. The language is strongly tonal, and the composer makes use of a traditional hymn tune to anchor the somber, nocturnal middle movement, while the outer movements have an irresistible momentum and drive. Veil of Tears is extracted from the composer's Holocaust oratorio; an elegiac adagio, it has much in common with Barber's famous work. The organ concerto avoids the temptation of bombast (although there are fireworks aplenty in the finale), preferring a dialogue of equals, with much playful imitation back and forth in a spirited opening movement, a contemplative slow movement which builds a monumental climax of great nobility - again incorporating a hymn tune - and a vigorous toccata for a final act. Nathan J. Laube (organ), Nashville Symphony Orchestra; Giancarlo Guerrero.