Joaquin RODRIGO (1901-1999)
Concierto de Aranjuez (1939) [23:03]
Concierto Pastoral for flute and orchestra (1978) [24:57]
Fantasia para un Gentilhombre (1954) [21:25]
Carlos Bonell (guitar); Jennifer Stinton (flute)
English Chamber Orchestra/Steuart Bedford
rec. Abbey Road EMI Studio, 1988-89. DDD
ALTO ALC1090 [69:50]
Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez has risen rapidly from its 1940 premiere
in Barcelona to become as iconic of the last century as Barber's Adagio
and Orff's Carmina Burana. It's pretty much indestructible. It
has enjoyed a myriad recordings and will enjoy a myriad more. It is known
well beyond the classical music community and parts of it haunt lifts/elevators
and shopping malls across the world.
So what marks out the present guitar-dominated collection from so many others?
Firstly it is all Rodrigo. Secondly it is not all guitar. Thirdly it is solo
instrument with orchestra when other collections have drafted in other guitarists
for the composer’s multi-guitar works.
This Aranjuez is a sheer pleasure and Bonell is at no disadvantage
in comparison to Bream or Williams or Romero. The presence of Jennifer Stinton's
Concierto Pastoral - originally written for James Galway - makes for
a welcome centrally-placed contrast with its impudent birdsong and Fauré-like
melancholy.
By the way, if you are an admirer of Rodrigo's Aranjuez and need more
then by all means go for the Fantasia as featured here, though it’s
not a patch on Aranjuez. Make a note also to try the Concierto Madrigal
and the Concierto Andaluz. Also don't overlook the absolutely wonderful
Concierto del Sur by the Mexican Manuel Ponce.
I find that I have been a shade hard on the Fantasia which here shines
as one of the most winning versions I have heard - if anything wins you over
to this Rodrigo meets Pulcinella meets Capriol example of neo-classicism
this will be it.
The recording tends towards the close-up and direct so no detail is left unexposed.
Ates Orga provides the helpful liner-notes for this winning and inexpensive
Rodrigo collection.
Rob Barnett