Search - Joaquin Rodrigo, Neville Marriner, Ordon Alonso :: Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez; Fantasía para un gentilhombre; Concierto Andaluz

Far from the best

Sor_Fingers | Boulder, CO USA | 09/05/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Buying this album is not in your best interest. This is probably the worst recording of Aranjuez I've heard and I've heard many different versions. Narcisco Yepes's interpretation is amature. He especially butchers the cadenza in the second movement of Aranjuez. His performance of Fantasia para un Gentilhombre is uninspired. His technique is lame and the entire recording is just going through the motions. The only gem on this CD is Los Romeros' performance of Concierto Andaluz. It is very well done and the St. Martin in the Fields orchestra is much better than the Orquestra Simphonique that Yepes is playing with. I give this album three stars because it is simply not special at all. Buy a recording of Aranjuez by Isbin, P. Romero, Williams or Tennant. They are much better players and musicians. If you want Andaluz you can get another recording of the Romero's without having to hear Yepes' half-hearted interpretation."

Bravo!

L. Shirley | fountain valley, ca United States | 09/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For well over an hour(68:37), you can just get lost in this gorgeous, mesmerizing music. Three definitive works of Joaquín Rodrigo are included.



Narciso Yepes featured on guitar, with the Orquesta Sinfonica R.T.V. Espanola, conducted by Odon Alsono,perform the first two concertos. "Concierto de Aranjuez"(for Guitar and Orchestra) in three movements is joyous and wonderful. Allegro con spirito, is just that; a spirited and uplifting. The adagio of Aranjuez is probably the most familiar(also heard in an all brass rendition in the film "Brassed Off"), and is very pleasing to the ear, followed by the soft and caressing allegro gentile.



"Fantasía Para Un Gentilhombre" is done in 4 movements. It's an

intricate blend of Rodrigo's Spanish flavor with the Baroque sound of the 17th century composer, Gasper Sanz. This piece was, according to the pamphlet that accompanies this CD, commissioned by Andrés Segovia. The entire piece had me under it's spell.



And, perhaps the most beautiful of the three, is "Concierto Andaluz"(for Four Guitars) The three movements are Tiempo de Bolero, the adiagio, and Allegretto. The Academy of St Martin - in-the-Fields, conducted by Sir Neville Marrriner, perform, and as always make you feel the music to the depths of your soul.



The CD is a good quality and sounds great. The 10 tracks, are all a good length to lose yourself in. One short one( third movement of "Fantasía"), at 2:06 and the rest range from 5:00 to a hypnotizing 11:28(adagio for Aranjuez). Also included is a booklet that has some good biographical info on Rodrigo. I thought the entire album was very well done.



Recently, I had a chance to drive through part of this beautiful country of ours. This album took me through the gorgeous mountains of Nevada and Utah. It was the icing on the cake that added to the beauty of it all. On the way home, I couldnt help but replay it, as I watched the sun setting over the Colorado mountains. It is still one I still listen to often in the car and at home, and just let it cast it's spell.



Bravo!



enjoy.....Laurie

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