![]() ![]() The juxtaposition of works on and Tchaikovsky’s Happy Birthday is a gallant flirtation with cultural memory and collective perception. Tunes such as Auld Lang Syne (in variations by Franz Waxman) and God Save the King are re-interpreted as well, offset by less expected works such as Alfred Schnittke’s Polka Elegy. ![]() In the title track, the world’s most familiar theme is given eleven new sets of stylistic clothes in variations by Peter Heidrich. They not only afford us the pleasure of recognition, but also serve to nudge us out of our listening rut, by hearing familiar themes in unaccustomed ways. Gidon Kremer, in describing Happy Birthday, his 2003 album with Kremerata Baltica, said, “Our intention has always been to awaken the listener by a kind of shock to the senses, which, in this case, is a humorous one to make him or her aware that music is able to not only glide easily on the surface of our senses, but also permeate more deeply, enriching us (the listeners) with emotions, fantasies, laughter and insights.”Īlthough the works on Happy Birthday share seemingly transparent origins, the performances reveal a new sensibility, unexpected elegance, naïve playfulness and exquisite virtuosity.
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