Search - Falla, Argerich, Barenboim :: Falla: Nights in the Gardens of Spain / Albeniz: Iberia

Pride Of Spain

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 12/11/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Along with Rodrigo's "Concerto de Aranjuez," Falla's "Nights In The Garden Of Spain" and Albeniz's "Iberia" have to be three of those most beloved orchestral works in the Spanish classical canon. This CD, with Daniel Barenboim conducting the Orchestre De Paris and featuring Martha Argerich on piano, couples these two major statements of Spanish nationalism. The performances on, and the sound of, this live recording are phenomenal. Martha Argerich's playing is first rate, and who better to partner with than Barenboim, a virtuoso pianist in his own right. There are other classic performances of these pieces available (Rubinstein & Reiner's "Nights" on RCA Living Stereo comes to mind), but surely none are better than this title."

First Rate!

D. J. Zabriskie | Park Ridge, NJ USA | 01/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Being a rabid Martha Argerich fan, I was attracted to this CD when

Reiner's masterful recording of Falla's "El Amor Brujo" kindled my interest in Falla's music. What could be better? Two of Argentina's leading musicians lending their talents to Falla's music. Was I in for surprises!

This recording is nowhere near as romantic as the Laroccha or Rubinstein versions which have become the industry standards. Instead, what we have here is a drier, more sober approach which seeks to get at the core of Falla's music first, and only then at the impressions behind it. Here we hear a totally different aspect of Argerich's artistry. Instead of the firey temperment and mind-boggling virtuousity one usually associates with her playing, she forms a rather classical conception of the piece with conductor Barenboim, which is dead-on-the-mark at every turn. Despite its constant brilliance, there is never anything showy in Martha's playing here. It's all right to the point, and the more you listen to it, the more you fall in love with this piece. "Nights In the Gardens of Spain" is NOT a piano concerto: it is an orchestral piece with a major part for solo piano, and that's the way Argerich and Barenboim play it. They allow the genius of Falla's composition to emerge on its own terms. Only then, do we see the visual splendors, hear the birdsongs, smell the aromas and feel the repose of the gardens. As with her handling of Ravel's piano music, Argerich's playing of her part here is assured and instinctively right throughout. Rather than give you HER impressions of "Nights In the Gardens of Spain," she allows you to develop your own. It's a very subtle artistry.

This is also the first recording I've heard in which Daniel Barenboim's conducting impressed me as much as his piano playing has. His insight into both the Falla and Albeniz pieces are equally astounding. His ear for orchestral detail and his ability to assign the correct weight to each one is crucial to the performance of both these pieces, and he never fails to get things right.

Leave your preconceptions about this music and the artists at the door, and allow them to ASTOUND you. Simply WONDERFUL!"