Music of Latin American Masters: Revueltas, Villa-Lobos, Ginastera, Chávez, Orbón, Estévez

Unfortunately I cannot say that I enjoyed this Dorian Recordings CD box. I have listened to it in full twice, and some tracks several times to force me to find something to relate to. In most cases I succeeded, but regardless, that is far for me to enjoy.
There is a definite similarity in the pieces, which I failed to discriminate clearly.

For someone who is not familiar with Latin American music, I would suggest it. It is possible that the mystical tropical sounds enrobe the listener. For those that know it, perhaps a more precise selection would be better.

Author	Work
CD 1
Silvestre Revueltas	Redes
Silvestre Revueltas	Sensemayá
Julián Orbón	Concerto Grosso for string quartet and orchestra
Alberto Ginastera	Pampeana #3
CD 2
Julián Orbón	Tres versiones sinfónicas
Heitor Villa-Lobos	Bachiana Brasileira #2
Antonio Estévez	Mediodía en el Llano
Carlos Chávez	Sinfonía India, s. #2
CD 3: Latin American Ballets
Heitor Villa-Lobos	Uirapurú
Carlos Chávez	Suite de Caballos de Vapor
Alberto Ginastera	Estancia

Paganini: Concerto per violino e orchestra #1

Niccolò Paganini's violin concerto is fantastic anytime, but the second part is splendid for a peaceful weekend morning.
I now rename Perpetuela as "Flight of the Hummingbird", especially confirmed in the passage where the violin hovers in the background, and the flute comes in.
Salvatore Accardo does a magnificent job. Charles Dutoit conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Galleria Deutsche-Grammophon CD.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Concerto per violino e orchestra #1	D	op.6	Cadenza: Emile Sauret & Accardo	Allegro maestoso Adagio espressivo Rondo. Allegro spiritoso
Sonata Napoleone				Introduzione. Adagio Larghetto Andantino variato Variazioni I-III Finale
I palpiti				Larghetto cantabile Recitativo (con grande espressione) Tema. Andantino Variazioni I-III Coda
Perpetuela				Allegro vivace

Beethoven: Piano Concerto 4 & 5

Excellent. Beautiful concerti, and one can always count on Pollini for a forceful virtuoso interpretation. And Beethoven asks for one, of course.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Movements	Observations
Konzert für Klavier & Orchester #5	Eb	op.73	Allegro Adagio un poco mosso-attacca Rondo. Allegro	Emperor
Konzert für Klavier & Orchester  #4	G	op.58	Allegro moderato Andante con moto Rondo. Vivace

Maurizio Pollini, piano
Karl Böhm / Wiener Philharmoniker.

General information on the piano concerti, scores, instruments, performers, etc: No.5 op.73, at wikipedia
No.4, Op.58, at wikipedia

Tchaikovsky+Rachmaninoff (Van Cliburn): Piano concerto (1 bzw 2)

Tchikovsky's 2nd movement is just a superb piece, alternating peacefulness and exuberance. Precisely the setting for a superb performance.  The 3rd movement interspersed French arpeggiate cannot betray its Slavic origin with its theme of winds and strings with exclamations from the metals.

Rachmaninoff's concerto is so superbly performed that the interpretation itself can be or not transparent (which although unrelated does not occur with Il Giardino Armonico). One can just leave oneself to be inebriated, or attend to each instrument, at no loss of enjoyment.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto #1	Bbm	Op.23	Kiril Kondrashin/RCA Symphony Orchestra	1958
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto #2	Cm	Op.18	Fritz Reiner/Chicago Symphony Orchestra	1962

This is an instant RCA Red Seal SACD favorite!

Lipatti: Bach, Liszt, Bartók

I have to say that Dinu Lipatti is amazing. Despite this fact, I could not enjoy Liszt nor Bartók, as I expected (due to my taste of authors, of course). But Busoni's adaptation for piano of Bach's BWV 1052 - Concerto for harpsichord No.1 in D minor in the hands of Dinu Lipatti is just sublime.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
JS Bach: Concerto for harpsichord #1	Dm	BWV 1052	Eduard van Beinum / Concertgebouw orchestra,  1947	Arranged by Busoni
Franz Liszt: Piano Concerto #1	Eb	S.124	Ernest Ansermet / Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, 1947
Béla Bartók: Piano Concerto #3		Sz. 119	Paul Sacher / Orchester des Südwestdeutschen Rundfunks, 1948

Bartók: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra #1,#2

Béla Bartók's work is always quite compact. There is no waste of space or time.
Play of the first concerto is so hasty, that I personally cannot find the subtle interpretation I am used to expecting from Pollini (and I am sure it is because of my simpleness in taste). But thankfully he makes up for it in the 2nd one, especially in the second movement.
On other topic, the swirling of the orchestra intermixed with the pianissimo and fortissimo are very well accomplished. No nice melodies, but plenty to listen to.
In the 2nd concerto, there are some nice fanfares, piano solos, and a few amenities.
Claudio Abbado conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, with Maurizio Pollini at the piano.

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra #1

1. Allegro moderato - Allegro
2. Andante - Allegro - attacca
3. Allegro molto

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra #2

1. Allegro
2. Adagio - Presto - Adagio
3. Allegro molto - Presto

I like this Deutsche Grammophon CD in the Awards Collection series. But, I grade it lower, because I do not see myself choosing it to listen to. This shows that it is more of a priority listening order, rather than a grading per se, something I would not attempt.

Shostakovich: Cello Concertos #1,2; Satires

If one read the booklet included in this Yedang CD, written by Boris Gontarev, one would think this is a marvelous product. He speaks so warmly about all the (major) musicians involved...
Alas, my opinion is much lesser than that. Yet, both concerti are a playful way of developing a lyrical theme, quite melodic in fact. Regardless, these concertos are necessary in a good music collection.

Interesting to know was that Shostakovich (Šostakovič ) had actually dedicated the 2nd concerto, and written for Rostropovich the 1st concerto.

Now, what an interesting duo. I have not known that Rostropovich played the piano (like that, of course). The married couple, Rostropovich and Vishnevskaya interpret the satires.


Composer: Shostakovich (Дмитрий Дмитриевич Шостакович)
Cello: Mstislav Rostropovich (Мстисла́в Леопо́льдович Ростропо́вич)
Conductor: David Oistrakh
Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Cello Concerto #1	Eb	Op.107		Recorded 24.01.1965, mono
Cello Concerto #2	G	Op.126		Recorded 12.11.1967, mono
Satires (Pictures of the Past) To a critic Spring Awakening Descendents Misunderstanding Kreutzer Sonata		Op.109	Soprano: Galina Vishnevskaya Piano: Mstislav Rostropovich	Five Romances for Soprano and Piano. Dedicated to Galina Vishnevskaya. Recorded 21.10.1967

Beethoven: Violin Concerto; 2 Romances

I must say that I was not thrilled by this CD. I mean, the pieces are fantastic, and the small orchestration allows for details that are not usually available in other more modern big philharmonic interpretations. Like the flute in the 3rd movement that is always hidden, or at least from me, in other versions. I personally think the cadenza is too ornamented and not in the same spirit as the concerto.

Of course, the period instruments of the Orchestra of the 18th Century allow for a very particular enjoyment  in addition to all else. All in all, it is a good buy, but I had higher expectations from Frans Brüggen. Zehetmair plays the violin in this Philips record.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Romance for Violin No. 2	F	Op.50
Romance for Violin No. 1	G	Op.40
Concerto for Violin	D	Op.61		I. Allegro ma non troppo II. Larghetto III. Rondo. Allegro

Brahms: Piano Concertos

This is a fantastic CD from Deutsche Grammophon. Great virtuosismo and expressiveness. The orchestra is soft and full in the 2nd concerto. Supreme combination of Claudio Abbado and Maurizio Pollini.
Then I listened to the Tragic Ouverture, which was new to me. Energetic and melodic, delightful.
Lastly I would comment on the beauty of the first and third movements of the 1st concerto.
All directed by Karl Böhm and the Wiener Philharmoniker, except 2nd concerto directed by Claudio Abbado, pianist Maurizio Pollini

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra #1	Dm	op.15	Maurizio Pollini	CD 1
Variations on a theme by Joseph Haydn		op.56a		CD 1
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra #2	Bb	op.83	violoncello solo:Robert Scheiwein	CD 2
Tragic Overture		op.81		CD 2

Vivaldi: Flute concertos/ Recorder Concertos

The interpretations are impeccable. Refined, emotional and very baroque.
The flute concert in Am has lovely ornamentations. The two flutes (esp. in the adagio) of hte Concert in C are delightful.
Of course, "il gardinello" has not been dethroned. Its evocative quality really transports me from my listening room.

The recorder concertos are beautiful. Although the enthusiastic nature of the interpretation adds emotion to the pieces, the technical aspect of the recorder calls for not stronger wind stream, as it changes the frequency of the notes, causing out-of-tune notes.
The orchestral plays are very surprising and add a real zest to otherwise well-known concertos.
Janet See, baroque flute; Marion Verbruggen, recorder; Philarmonia Baroque Orchestra; Nicholas McGegan, director.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
CD 1				Janet See
Flute concerto	D	RV 427
Flute concerto	G	RV 438
Flute concerto	Am	RV 440
Flute concerto	C	RV 533	Stephen Schultz 2nd flute
Flute concerto	D	RV 428		Il Gardinello (the goldfinch)
Flute concerto	G	RV 436
Flute concerto	D	RV 429
CD 2				Marion Verbruggen
Concerto for Recorder	F	RV 433		La tempesta di Mare
Concerto for Recorder	Cm	RV 441
Concerto for Recorder	C	RV 443
Concerto for Recorder	Gm	RV 104	Dennis Godburn, basoon	La Notte
Concerto for Recorder	F	RV 434
Concerto for Recorder	C	RV 444
Concerto for Recorder	G	RV 435

Mozart: Piano Concertos, II-8, KV 466 & KV 482

Beautiful way to return. Brilliant's Vol.2 CD8, Piano Concerto No. 20 and 22.
Soft yet vigorous interpretation, with a small Orchestra for better degustation. What lyricism in the piano line of KV482, accompanied by the flute for emphasis on a light-hearted interpretation. The theme of the 3rd movement is just so catchy, that it makes it one of the best works to involve children in classical music.
Derek Han, piano. Paul Freeman directs the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Piano Concerto No. 20	Dm	KV 466
Piano Concerto No. 22	Eb	KV 482

Tchaikovski: Piano Concerto, Violin Concerto

Пётр Ильич Чайкoвский (Čajkovskij). Very nice works. Argerich sounds harsh while hammering on the keyboard, but the concerto calls for a forceful interpretation, perhaps?. On the other hand, Milstein is refined, subtle and virtuoso. This Deutsche Grammophon's Millenium Collection CD is to be bought for Milstein's interpretation.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra	Bbm	Op.23	Martha Argerich, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Charles Dutoit
Violin Concerto	D	Op.35	Milstein, WPO, Abbado

Rachmaninoff & Prokofiev:Concerti #3

This is a Van Cliburn CD from RCA Super Audio CD. Van Cliburn won the Tchaikovsky competition in Moscow and immediately back in the USA played in this concerto.

It took me several listenings until I appreciated these works closer to what I should have. The interpretation is flawless with seemless transitions. The interpretation of Rachmaninoff's main theme has quite a distinct touch. As the booklet describes about van Cliburn's magnetism with John Briggs words: "...I would simply say it is musical control coupled with spontaneous beauty." Nothing more clearly noted that in the first movement of Sergei Rachmaninoff's concert.

Rakhmaninov's (Сергей Васильевич Рахманинов, 1 April 1873 – 28 March 1943) concerto is full of layers. Instead of big orchestral chords and accents, I can compare it with the layers of watercolor paintings, where to paint on top one has to let the lower one dry to preserve transparency.

Prokofiev's (Сергей Сергеевич Прокофьев, as he was born under Russian Empire; or Сергі́й Сергі́йович Проко́ф'єв, because he was born on what is now Ukraїne; 27 April 1891 – 5 March 1953) concerto, on the other hand, is full of pictoresque themes and phrases. It is lively and, thankfully, still contains melodic emphasis, despite the period's trend.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Piano Concerto #3	Dm	Opus 30	Symphony of the Air, Kiril Kondrashin	Recorded Live in concert in 1958
Piano Concerto #3	C	Opus 26	Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Walter Hendl	Recorded in 1960

I only wanted to add that despite me having mastered the opening of the CD box, each time I face it, I have to find the trick again. And I think it is great!

Dvořák / Tchaikovsky : Cello Concerto / Rococo Variations

Beautiful! How many themes can fit into a Concerto, that boasts of creativity. How many "profound" themes for movie scores or similar have been inspired by Dvořák's Cello Concerto in Bm, op.104.
And such a nice interpretation by Rostropovich (Мстисла́в Леопо́льдович Ростропо́вич), with the Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Seiji Ozawa, an Elatus CD.

The Rococo Variations Op.33 remind us of Tchaikovsy's (Чайкoвский) pompousness. Nice listening, nevertheless.

Dvořák: Cello concerto in Bm Op.104



• Allegro


• Adagio ma non troppo


• Finale: Allegro moderato



Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op.33

Mozart: Violin Concertos 4-5

Just as in the other CD, this one, Brilliant's 2-17, has a nice interpretation of Violin Concertos 4 (KV218) and 5(KV 219). Concerto No. 4 I believe delivers, but nothing of excellence. On the contrary, Concerto No.5 has forceful themes, and, sometimes, harmony beyond Mozart's time.
The orchestration is clear and compact.
Director: Marturet
Orchestra: Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra
Violin: Emmy Verhey

Mozart: oboe, bassoon, and winds

Regarding Brilliant's 2-14, how lovely.

I fear repeating myself to often (perhaps that is why I haven't really published this blog -officially- yet).

I decided to repeat the CD before moving on. The Bassoon Concerto KV191 is so lively and playful, then the Sinfonia Concertante KV 297b for Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon & Orchestra is too. I have to say that the Oboe Concerto KV314 did not strike any note with me (pun intended ;) )

Especially the Bassoon Concerto is what I want to listen when I play a concerto for winds.