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Presto News - 26th January 2009Monteverdi as you've never heard it before! |
 Prepare to be slightly shocked this week as, unless you’re already familiar with the harpist and lutenist Christina Pluhar and her group l’Arpeggiata, I doubt you’ve heard Monteverdi sound anything like this before... This new release, just out on Virgin Classics, aims to celebrate Monteverdi’s music through experimentation and improvisation. And while purists may find it all rather alarming, it is so well performed that I think the majority of people (whether familiar with Monteverdi or not) will find it hard not to be drawn in by the freshness, inventiveness and spontaneity.  Christina Pluhar Claudio Monteverdi was born in 1567 in Cremona, and was a hugely important composer in the development of a number of different musical genres, including opera. His music displays a remarkable diversity of compositional techniques and he masters and interweaves them with supreme skill. His music was considered very modern in its time and he spent much of his life battling against critics who objected to his use of chromaticism, unprepared dissonances, and ornaments. It is maybe therefore not wholly inappropriate to be re-inventing his music to sound more ‘modern’ to today’s ears, particularly as Monteverdi argued that music should above all appeal to the listener’s feelings. The thing that makes this disc really outstanding is the quality of the singers and instrumentalists. Counter-tenor Philippe Jaroussky sings his slower numbers particularly exquisitely and they all perform with such a natural sounding affinity to the music that even the more extrovert moments don’t sound out of place. This is I suspect because most of what they do stems from what is in the score, whether it be the jazz style walking bass lines, the repetition of single notes or the dissonances. Their technical brilliance and musicianship is astonishing; the players convey a sense of utter conviction in what they are doing. I’ve put a couple of tracks on for you to listen to below and hope you’ll enjoy them as much as I have been.
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 Monteverdi - Teatro d'AmoreNuria Rial (soprano), Philippe Jaroussky (countertenor), L’Arpeggiata, Christina Pluhar
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Chris O'Reilly - chris@prestoclassical.co.uk |
listen - Monteverdi - Ohimè ch'io cadoNew Releases26th January 2009 |
This is just the pick of the recent releases. The New Releases and Future Releases pages are always available for browsing all the new and forthcoming releases. |
 Elina Garanca - Bel CantoArias from Bellini, Donizetti & RossiniElina Garanca follows her exceptional DG debut splash, Aria Cantilena, with bel canto solos and ensembles featuring guest luminaries like Ildebrando d’Arcangelo. Flawless coloratura and a “one-in-a-million” mezzo (The Independent) make this exciting young artist ideal for this repertoire. Balancing familiar numbers and ensembles with little known treasures by Bellini, Donizetti and Rossini, Elina rides bel canto’s vocal acrobatics and spun out melodies through an emotional spectrum to unforgettable effect. |
 Debussy - Préludes - Book 1, Children's CornerNelson Freire (piano)Brazilian pianist Nelson Freire is among the truly great living musicians. His recordings and live performances receive rapturous critical acclaim, and his remarkable musicianship continues to captivate the critics and charm the musical world. Freire has a special affinity with Debussy's music and his magical style perfectly suits these luminous works. |
 Handel: Concerti grossi Op. 6 Nos. 1-12 HMV319-330Il Giardino Armonico, Giovanni AntoniniMulti award-winning period performance ensemble Il Giardino Armonico, led by the charismatic and inspiring Giovanni Antonini, make their first appearance on the newly invigorated L'Oiseau Lyre label with a wonderful new recording of Handel's 12 Concerti Grossi op. 6 to mark the composer's anniversary year (2009). |
 Brahms - Violin Concerto & Double ConcertoVadim Repin (violin), Truls Mørk (cello), Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Riccardo ChaillyVadim Repin's first recording of the Brahms Violin Concerto and the Double Concerto (partnered by cellist Truls Mørk). Completing the collaboration is the renowned Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra under its chief conductor Riccardo Chailly. |
 Late Romantic - works for flute and pianoLuis Meireles (flute), Maria José Souza Guedes (piano)Through its unusual exploration of the sumptuous instrumental repertoire of the late Romantic period, Late Romantic presents an innovative collection of works for flute and piano. Assembled, transcribed and performed by the renowned Portuguese flautist Luis Meireles. The disc presents an original suite for flute and piano by Charles-Marie Widor, and transcriptions of violin sonatas by Gabriel Pierné and Richard Strauss. Luis Meireles has long felt an affinity with this period of musical expression, and brings dedication and passion in this new and unusual recording, partnered with sensitivity and style by Maria Jose Souza Guedes at the piano. |
 Decca and DG Originals10 more mid-price re-issuesSome real classics this month including the Eugen Jochum Die Meistersingers, The English Concert and Trevor Pinnock playing Handel, Michelangeli playing Chopin, Alfred Brendel playing Haydn, and Luciano Pavarotti and Joan Sutherland starring in the classic Donizetti La Fille du Régiment. |
 20th Century Classics10 more releases in EMI's popular seriesAnother eclectic mix of 20th Century composers ranging from composers still generally considered late romantics through to Contemporary composers whio are still alive and composing. All represent superb value though. Includes discs of Falla, Henze, Janacek, Pärt, Rachmaninov, Ravel, Resphigi, Rodrigo, Shostakovich and Tavener. |
 Two more Britten-Pears Collection DVDsThe Beggar's Opera and Owen WingraveThese DVDs are part of the Britten-Pears DVD Collection. This collection features historically and musically significant films from the BBC archives of works and performances by Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears, one of the greatest English tenors and Britten’s long-term partner and artistic inspiration. |
 BBC Radio 3 CD ReviewSaturday 24th January 2009 |
Building a Library - Martinu: Symphony No. 6 'Fantaises symphoniques' |
 First Choice3 CD set (coupled with Symphonies 1-5)Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Vaclav Neumann |
 Budget Choice(coupled with Les Fresques de Piero Della Francesca; Orchestral Suite ‘Juliette’)Sinfonieorchester St. Gallen, Jiri Kout |
Disc of the Week |
 Platti - Concerti Grossi after CorelliAkademie für Alte Musik Berlin |
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