VIVALDI
The Four Seasons
RICHARD
TOGNETTI, Violin
Australian
Chamber Orchestra
BIS
2103 / ****1/2
Does the world yet another recorded
version of Antonio Vivaldi's most famous and overplayed quartet of violin
concertos from The Contest Of Harmony And Invention Op.8, better known
as The Four Seasons? A resounding
yes, if the results are as good as this. The Australian Chamber Orchestra does
not sell itself as a period instrument band, and its version strikes a good
middle ground between that of a vibrato-less thin-sounding group and those
stodgy big-orchestra textures of old. Its leader Richard Tognetti's solo
playing is vibrant and full of character, bringing to life the stories of
poetic changing seasons without being afraid of contributing individual touches
of his own.
Several movements of lesser-known
concertos, with thematic links and references to the Seasons, have been
included for good measure, bringing this disc to well over the hour mark. The
icing on the cake is the almost-as-famous Concerto in B minor for 4
violins, which features among its soloists Singapore's own homegrown talent Ike
See (See Ian Ike). The performance is just as lively and polished, which
plainly goes to show that the best of the “Little Red Dot” can also stand proud
in any top-notch ensemble in the world.
ALMA
BRASILEIRA
GNATTALI
Chamber Works
Franz
Halasz, Guitar
Debora Halasz, Piano
Debora Halasz, Piano
BIS
2086 / ****1/2
Sometimes the line drawn between
classical and popular music is so blurred that it is nearly impossible to make
a clear distinction between the two. Such is the case of Brazilian composer
Radames Gnattali (1906-1988), following in the example of his famous compatriot
Heitor Villa-Lobos who so skilfully married indigenous Brazilian folk music
with classical forms that only respect could be is commanded. One short piece
for guitar so captures this ethos, entitled Alma Brasileira (Brazilian
Soul), also the title of a similar work by Villa-Lobos, is one of
Gnattali's best-known tunes. The selection of dances for guitar, including Danca
Brasileira, Saudade, Petit Suite and two Toccatas In Samba Rhythm are simply delectable.
The longer works, Sonatina No.2 (for
guitar and piano) and Sonata (for cello & guitar), both in three
movements, are true classical-popular music hybrids and represent the best of
“crossover”. The husband and wife team (German and Brazilian respectively),
joined by Swiss-Chinese cellist Wen-Sinn Yang, give idiomatic and exciting
performances, and there is no hiding their pedigree. The solo piano works are
true virtuoso numbers, with dances like Negaceando, Capoeirando, Batuque and
the modernistic Toccata, which make for excellent encores. Over 70 minutes of
infectiously toe-tapping music to be found here.
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