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Harp Concertos - Catherine Michel

Harp Concertos - Catherine Michel

PentaTone RQR  PTC 5186 135

Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid

Classical - Orchestral


Villa Lobos: Harp Concerto, Boïeldieu: Concerto for Harp and Orchestra, Rodrigo: Concerto Serenade for Harp and Orchestra

Catherine Michel (harp)
Orchestre National de l'Opera de Monte Carlo
Antonio de Almeida (conductor)

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Review by John Broggio - August 28, 2011

Another reissue from the vaults that features the Monte-Carlo opera orchestra & in most respects, their playing can only be compared to amateur performances of today, completely undermining all Catherine Michel's sterling efforts.

With the possible exception of the Rodrigo, none of these concertos have gained anything more than a toehold in the repertoire - the notes struggle to find something complimentary to say about the Villa Lobos that the number of performances given in 2010 (3) contributes a significant amount of the space devoted to the 25+ minute work!

Catherine Michel plays with great aplomb and goes to great lengths to characterise each piece distinctly (as one would expect given 3 very contrasting composers from 2 very different eras); under Antonia de Almeida, the Orchestre National de l'Opera Monte-Carlo take a singularly novel approach to intonation and characterisation in the Villa Lobos and Rodrigo that one listens with wonder that such poor playing was ever sanctioned for release (let alone re-release). Their accompaniment in the Boieldieu illustrates how far playing styles of the Classical repertoire have transformed but even compared to ASMF under Neville Marriner recorded in similar music at the same time, this orchestral stodge sounds definitely from a blissfully forgotten era. Sadly, this completely ruins any & all enjoyment that Michel's playing would otherwise bring.

The sound is all too revealing - a healthy dose of 78 swoosh & crackle would have improved things greatly!

Copyright © 2011 John Broggio and HRAudio.net

Performance:

Sonics (Multichannel):

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