Search - Falla, Larmore, Domingo :: Nights in the Garden of Spain / 3 Cornered Hat

A Fine Group of Performers in a Flawed but Spirited Recordin

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 04/11/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of those strange recordings that seem to have been 'produced' by a record company with sales in mind. Not that that is bad, but it is not exactly the perfect matching of performers to repertoire.



Placido Domingo conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in two works by Spanish composer Manuel De Falla. In the first work, 'Noches en los jardines de Espa?a' for piano & orchestra, Daniel Barenboim is the competent soloist. Though the work is not a standard one in his repertoire, it is refreshing to hear a new mind approach this basic tapestry that integrates the piano into the orchestral fabric so tightly. The result is a lush if not propulsive performance, more impressionistic than most.



'El Sombrero de tres picos, ballet in 2 parts' is graced with the gorgeous voice and presence of Jennifer Larmore who gives a sensual tone to the vocal lines. Domingo feels more at home here and the performance is jaunty and flexible. The real attribute for the recording is the presence of three important artists 'on vacation' with these light but lovely Spanish pieces. Grady Harp, April 06

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