Search - Joaquin Rodrigo, Victor Pablo Pérez, Galicia Symphony Orchestra :: Viva! Rodrigo

A very prersonal Rodrigo

William N. Gross | Berkeley, CA USA | 11/21/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a duplicate review; Amazon.com has a few entries for this CD. But I can't help adding a few thoughts. Kaori Muraji is big in Japan, but not so well known here in the States. She's a very talented guitarist. Each time she plays Rodrigo's works, she hits the mark. Many artists before her have played these pieces. To my ear, what makes this different is an element of compassion which is very important for Aranjuez 2nd movement. The colors often displayed by other guitarists through technique are internalized and put into the narrative by Muraji. She has sublimated her own voice to tell another's story. Lots of technically breathtaking passages in this collection and the listener has a chance to compare some Rodrigo compositions side by side from beginning to end of career.

Among the world's elite guitarists, there are generals, engineers, doctors, lovers. Kaori Muraji is the poet of the guitar; or perhaps the dutiful daughter who has grown into a nurturing mother.

OK, here's my original review:



This CD's cover tells you what is in store as a listener; as she reclines in a red beaded gown against a satin backdrop, sensuality mingles with tranquility, elegance with simplicity. Even in bold passages, there's a tenderness that Kaori Muraji never relinquishes, and openness in her expression that reveals itself patiently.

What you see is what you hear in this case. Once again she displays her affinity for the works of Joaquin Rodrigo, with pieces from the beginning, middle and end of the Spanish composer's prolific career. It includes the work he is best known for, the second movement of "Concierto de Aranjuez." This must be the most familiar composition ever created for guitar and orchestra. It has been interpreted by flamenco and classical artists alike and was also adapted by Miles Davis on the album "Sketches of Spain." It was written after Rodrigo's first child was still-born, and his wife lay gravely ill in the hospital. The emotional content of this adagio holds great potential for a musician to realize. Kaori Muraji manages to bring out the meaning of the piece in more intimate fashion than I have heard before. She doesn't try to match the great flair for emotionality that the Spanish are so adept at representing, but instead highlights the introspective aspects. It's perhaps softer in feel, but retains its impact; it is less tied to cultural references, more universal. Muraji empathetically reveals the grief and reconciliation which are the very reason for this music.

The same personal approach works throughout the whole CD. Conductor Victor Pablo Perez and the Orquestra Sinfonica de Galicia do a good job of weaving in and out of the fabric of the concertos. They deliver convincing brashness on the final movement of "Concierto para un Fiesta." The 4th selection, "Sones en la Girabalda" is the secret treasure on this CD. It's a spellbinding mix of harmony and dissonance with a grand scope for such a short piece. The guitar is present, but much more integrated in with the orchestra. This evocative piece, so rich in texture captures a place and time as fully as Strawberry Fields or Penny Lane did for me when I was a kid.

Through her soulful interpretations, Kaori Muraji imparts a desire to delve deeper into what is ensconced in Rodrigo's compositions. So able is she to capture subtle emotional overtones that the story of the music takes on a tangible reality. There are a lot of great guitarists out there, a lot of great musicians, but there is something remarkable about this one that words and not even the photo mentioned earlier can portray.

At this writing, the holidays are approaching...exquisite packaging, interesting interpretations, excellent recording quality; the folks at Decca and Kaori Muraji are making it easy for you. This, like so many of her releases is such a well thought out project and product that it's a great gift item. And again, the 2nd movement of Aranjuez is so philosophically resonant that everyone can connect with its mystery and beauty."