Alicia de Larrocha : Spanish Serenade
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CD Details
Composer: Manuel de FallaComposer: Xavier Montsalvatge
Performer: Alicia de Larrocha
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 1994-06-14
Music Label: RCA
Soundtracks:
- Pieces espagnoles: I Aragonesa
- Pieces espagnoles: II Cubana
- Pieces espagnoles: III Montanesa
- Pieces espagnoles: IV Andaluza
- Fantasia baetica
- From: La vida breve: First Spanish Dance
- Serenata andaluza
- La sinfonia de maese Pedro from El retablo de maese Pedro
- Divagacion
- Tres Divertimentos: I Con decision
- Tres Divertimentos: II Muy dolce
- Tres Divertimentos: III Vivo
- Si, a Mompou
- Berceuse a la memoria de Oscar Espla
- Sonatine pour Yvette: I Vivo e spiritoso
- Sonatine pour Yvette: II Moderato molto
- Sonatine pour Yvette: III Allegretto
Music reviews of Alicia de Larrocha : Spanish Serenade
Music Review: Superb Spanish playing from Alicia
Rating: 5 Stars
I don't think the sound is as excellent as Leslie Gerber states, although it's clearly not as bad as on some of De Larrocha's other RCA recordings.
Also, because Larrocha's dynamic range rarely exceeds "forte" the sound is much easier on the ear, and her trademark beautiful tone and feeling for rhythm are transparent throughout.
Everything on this disc is beautifully played and shows why she is the queen of Spanish music. In the Falla items, in particular, she shows some pretty masterful pianism--just listen to the gorgeous (and virtually unknown) "Serenata Andaluza" and the Dance from "La Vida Breve". I doubt that these could be played more perfectly than they are here.
The very difficult Fantasia Baetica is good too, but Larrocha doesn't sound as as easily in command of the notes as on her earlier all-Falla recording on London/Decca (one of my very favorite piano CD's). However, it's still pretty impressive, as are the four "Piezas Espanolas". Again, her feeling for rhythm is one of things I've always loved about her playing.
Like Janacek, it is a great a disappointment that Falla didn't compose more for the piano. I just love his music, and I suspect he could have added to the piano repetory much more significantly than he did.
The second half of the CD is devoted to Montsalvatge. The music is certainly enjoyable, but not as distinctive melodically as the Falla. She plays the virtuosic Sonatina much more gently than in her previous recording.
This is one of the best discs Larrocha has done since she became and RCA artist, and I would recommend it highly.
Description of Alicia de Larrocha : Spanish Serenade
You can still find Alicia de Larrocha's classic late-fifties recording of all of Falla's piano music and transcriptions on EMI 64527-2, in performances marginally fresher than these. But the current disc has several advantages over the earlier recording. One is the glorious sound of a piano in the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, one of America's great concert halls. Another is the opportunity to make the acquaintance of de Larrocha's friend Xavier Montsalvatge, who is still, in his eighties, writing music of great freshness and wit.If you love Montsalvatge's sense of humor, go for the present disc and give up some Falla arrangements. --Leslie GerberGeneral CDs
- Styles > Classical
- Featured Composers, A-Z > ( B )
- ( F ) > Falla, Manuel de
- Featured Performers, A-Z > ( D ) > De Larrocha, Alicia
- Forms & Genres > Fantasies
- Sonatas > General
- Historical Periods > Modern, 20th, & 21st Century > Forms & Genres > Chamber Music
- Sonatas
- Symphonies
- Opera & Vocal > General
- Dance & Electronic > General
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