Vincenzo BELLINI (1801-1835)
I Capuleti e i Montecchi Overture [5:45]
Norma Overture [6:26]
Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848)
Anna Bolena Overture [9:09]
La Fille du Régiment Overture [7:30]
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Don Giovanni Overture [6:32]
Le Nozze di Figaro Overture [4:57]
Così fan tutte Overture [5:07]
Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868)
Marcia per il sultano di Turchia Abdul Medjid [4:05]
Petite fanfare [5:21]
Passo doppio [6:25]
Federica Iannella & Giuliana Maccaroni (organ)
rec. Chiesa Parrocchiale di S. Maria Assunta e S. Rocco, Filago, Italy, September 2010
TACTUS TC750001 [61:55]
Although there are certainly a very large number of organ enthusiasts,
I regret to say that there are also many musicians whose love of music
stops short of the organ. They complain about its impenetrable textures,
lack of variety, and the dull, featureless music that is sometimes played
on it. I suspect that this may be more the result of hearing poor performers
on inadequate instruments playing the least interesting parts of the enormous
repertoire written for the organ than of any inherent characteristics
of the instrument. I would suggest playing this disc to such musicians
to show what can be done. Admittedly not necessarily what should be done,
but a total and refreshing contrast to what is more usually heard in England,
at least on church instruments. The closest English equivalent to the
sounds heard here would be the fairground organ, including the bizarre
drum effects.
As the title suggests, the bulk of the music here comes from operas. The
Bellini and Donizetti items work extremely well in this transformed state,
with new but equally theatrical colours to the original works. The three
Mozart Overtures are less successful. The violin figurations in the allegro
sections simply sound laboured and ineffectual, at times even comical.
They are interesting to hear once but I would not want to repeat the experience.
That does not apply to any of the other items, not least to the Rossini,
which are played with appropriate poise and cheekiness.
The notes, in Italian and English, include the organ specification and
a spirited defence of the playing of theatrical music on church organs.
This is however wholly unnecessary when for the most part the results
are so satisfactory. I look forward to repeated listening to the Bellini,
Donizetti and Rossini items. It would be hard not to enjoy these idiomatic
performances on an instrument which produces such pungent and characterful
sounds.
John Sheppard
Support
us financially by purchasing this disc from |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |