Search - John Garth, Andre-Ernest-Modeste Gretry, Giovanni Paisiello :: The Concerto in Europe

The milieu of the great masters

David Tanship | Forest Hills NY USA | 01/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The music offerred here is the mirror image of great Classic masters. Unfortunately, many of them fell into obscurity due to fierce competition during that period. The music of Paisiello and Stamitz is not so unfamiliar to most of us. Mozart used Paisiello's piano concertos as model in his early music. The harp concerto recorded here is actually a transcription of the composer's piano concerto. The viola concerto by Stamitz is one of the gems in viola literature. The first movement contained a Manheim crescendo which Mozart copied in his concertante for viola and violin K 364. Garth's cello concerto is a throwback to the Baroque age with simple modulation and harmony.The second movement is soulful and extremely beautiful. Although the flute concerto by Gretry paled in comparison with rest of the music, it is by no means inferior. The EU Chamber Orchestra gives a flexible and firm support to the soloists, who are skillful and well accomplished artists. Owning this disk renders immense pleaure."

Zimmerman's Stamitz- impeccable and gorgeous!

Kenneth A. Martinson | Gainesville, FL USA | 09/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this album only being interested in the Stamitz viola concerto. I have heard several recordings of the Stamitz, and this one is by far completely on another much higher level. Zimmerman plays this concerto with such beautiful personality and style. I would not want to hear another version of this concerto- her interpretation exceeds probably what Stamitz himself heard in his own mind as he composed it. I use this recording as a model for my own interpretation, and insist that all of my students listen to this one. The orchestra sounds fantastic, and plays with admirable style as well. I particularily like Tabea's choice of the cadenza (from the Franz Beyer cadenza book), it completely fits the established performance practice style, unlike most of the published cadenzas out there. A phenomonal performance!"

Lesser known but still good.

Kenneth A. Martinson | 06/30/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Despite the ambitious title "The Concerto in Europe" this cd features mostly little known works. That is not to say that it is anyway bad. It is a collection of Baroque concertos all in standard three movement form. However this cd has both a harp concerto and a viola concerto, both a rareity for any era of music. All the music is well preformed and if none of it is essential it all falls nicely upon the ear. The harp concerto is a wonderful peice that really shows what the instrument is capable of. The flute and cello concertos are nice (although they lack the virtuositic passages in many concertos) and are just great examples of baroque style. My personal favourite is the Stamitz viola concerto ( although I might be biased, I am a violist). The first movement showpoints the range and registers of the viola. The second movement shows off the tone, and the third movement is a tour de force in sting playing. Anyway, this cd, although filled with lesser known music, is a very nice listen from start to finish."