Search - Francois-Adrien Boieldieu, Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf, Reinhold Gliere :: Harp Concertos

Stunning performances; worthy repertoire

J. Unrath | Sacramento, CA | 11/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of Decca/London's 2 CD sets, providing two discs for the price of one (even less, when downloaded from Amazon.com on MP3), this set is a bargain as well as a treat.



It's lovely to hear from Mme. Robles in her concerted repertoire. The Handel, Boieldieu and Rodrigo concerti have hardly ever been in better hands (the Rodrigo transcription was made at the request of the Spanish harpist Nicanor Zabaleta, who played it brilliantly as well), and it's a delight hearing them again in such excellent sound.



It was also wonderful to get another example of the art of the Welsh harpist Osian Ellis, for many years the principal harpist of the London Symphony Orchestra, and the leading exponent of that Welsh art form called Penillion (the art of improvisation in which the harpist sings one melody while accompanying himself/herself with another). I wish some of this brilliant work had made its way to CD; there was an early mono Decca 10" LP of Ellis performances (perhaps there were others); everyone should have been lucky enough to hear it for themselves. The Gliere concerto is not a memorable piece, but pleasant enough, and played to a fare-thee-well by Mr. Ellis.



I love the harp version (was it the original?) of the Op. 4 (organ) concerto by Handel; the Mozart Flute and Harp Concerto is beautifully done here as well. Especially at the price, but under almost any circumstances, this would be among my recommendations. You simply can't go wrong with this release."

Boldieu is the best!

C. Johnson | USA | 08/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Boldieu's classic harp concerto will lift your spirits and transport you to that lovely mystical place where all is well!"