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Tango Royal - Kraayenhof, Spanjaard
PentaTone Classics PTC 5186008
Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid
Classical - Crossover
Kraayenhof, Piazzolla, Alvarez
Carel Kraayenhof
Vesko Eschkenazy
Heleen Koele
Sexteto Canyengue
Netherlands Chamber Choir
Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra
Ed Spanjaard (conductor)
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- Roberto D. Alvarez: Maypa
- Carel Kraayenhof: Clavel rojo
- Carel Kraayenhof: Maxima
- Carel Kraayenhof: Milonga para Thirza
- Astor Piazzolla: Adiós nonino
- Astor Piazzolla: Balada para un loco
- Astor Piazzolla: Concerto for Bandoneon and Orchestra 'Aconcagua'
- Astor Piazzolla: Milonga del ángel
- Astor Piazzolla: Oblivion
Review by John Broggio - July 19, 2012
This disc is a re-release of Carel Kraayenhof: Tango Royal, presumably with less Netherlands-centric documentation though.
The recording values from a technical standpoint are everything we have to expect from PentaTone and their team of engineers and no complaints can be made on this front. Where some can though is the performances. Not of Kraayenhof himself however, his are very good indeed packed with flavour - his time with Piazzolla and other luminaries of the Argentine dance form were clearly well spent. His deep knowledge of tango is reflected in his own compositions on this disk. However, the Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra is far too smooth - where is the bite & passion? For them and the Netherlands Chamber Choir, it is all entirely lacking and at times the arrangements plunge into cheesy listening territory - dreadful but understandable responses from these wonderful musicians put to poor use. It is genuinely impossible to combine the varying contributions into a sensible rating on the performance front.
Technically - first rate. Artistically (performance) - good. Artistically (arrangements) - abysmal; be warned!
Copyright © 2012 John Broggio and HRAudio.net
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