Search - Mauro Giuliani :: Mauro Giuliani: Complete works for Flute & Guitar, Vol. 3

Mikael Helasvuo, Flute & Jukka Savijoki, Guitar

Philly Gal | Philadelphia, PA USA | 01/04/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here is a charming compilation of Giuliani's elegant pieces written for guitar or violin and flute, played impeccably by the perfectly matched Finnish duo, flautist Mikael Helasvuo (b. 1948), and guitarist Jukka Savijoki (b 1952). Helasvuo began his career 1973, and Savijoki began with his 1977 London debut. Both of these musicians are extremely versatile, performing classical and modern works in a variety of genres. They are well-known also for their abilities with jazz compositions.



A pleasing surprise on this volume is the inclusion of the lively GRAN POT-POURRI, FOR GUITAR & FLUTE, OP. 126 (on Track 20), not often found among recordings of his works. No composition date is given in the album booklet, and we could not find much agreement in the music catalogs about when he actually completed this pleasing group of musical vignettes. However, there is a reference in the Tecla Editions reprint catalog to a written 1823 concert review in Rome, with a quote stating ""Sedlatscheck [the flautist] enchanted everyone with the noble rivalry of the Potpourri on motives of Rossini, in which he competed with Giuliani, the composer of this praiseworthy piece [op. 126]" (a concert review, Rome, 1823)." Other catalogs estimate the date as late as 1828. It is not a long work (14 sheets as issued by Fred. Hofmeister) but it is a brilliant reinterpretation of the musical style of Rossini. Giuliani also composed a set of six "Rossiniane" for solo guitar (Opp. 119-124), acclaimed as among his most brilliant music.



To our knowledge, the three volumes of their Giuliani series were released twice: the first Grammofon-BIS release was issued in 1994 (BIS-413), and the second was issued in 2003 in the USA by the Musical Heritage Society under license from Grammofon-BIS. They are identical in content and quality. Either version will delight you - we think these recordings are among the best. Here is a more detailed track listing of the works, timings, and composition dates (where known):

1.

Gran Potpourri, for flute & guitar, Op. 53 (10:09)

Date Written 1816

2-17.

Pieces faciles et agreables, for Flute or Violin & Guitar, Op. 74 (28.11) :

I. Sostenuto II. Menuetto - Trio III. Grazioso IV. Allegretto - Trio V. Maestoso. Sostenuto VI. Menuetto (Allegro) - Trio VII. Allegretto. Spiritoso VIII. Andantino. Grazioso IX. Tempo di Marcia X. Allegro scherzoso XI. Maestoso. Cantabile XII. Grazioso XIII. Menuetto (Allegro) - Trio XIV. Andantino. Bolero XV. Andantino. Grazioso XVI. Vivace

Date Written 1816

18.

Potpourri from "Tancredi", for Flute & Guitar, Op. 76 (14:18)

Date Written 1817

19.

Six Variations for Flute or Violin & guitar, Op. 81 (6:32)

Date Written 1817

20. Gran Pot-Pourri, for Guitar & Flute, Op. 126 (11:54) :

I. Introduzione, Maestoso II. Thema - Variation I - Variation II

III. Andante IV. Allegro sostenuto - Variation I - Variation II V. Maestoso - Variation - Finale

ENJOY!"