TURINA
Sonatas 1 Op.51 & 2 Op.82; Sonata espagnola; Homenaje a Navarra;
Variaciones clasicas; Euterpe
Roland Roberts
(violin) Miyako Hashimoto (piano)
Meridian
CDE 84430 70
mins
After Albeniz told him to stop writing Franckian music (he had been studying
with D'Indy), Joaquin Turina (1882-1949) underwent 'the most complete
metamorphosis' of his life and became a Spanish composer!
His Sonata espagnola (1908) is interesting for being transitional,
according to the composer 'neither one thing nor the other', and was
shelved for over seventy years. The other sonatas are typically 'Spanish'
of the period and the CD finishes with several miscellaneous pieces, creditably
performed, though the piano part of the Homenaje (based on compositions
by Sarasate) tested the pianist's technique somewhat.
This is a useful collection of now little known works in a Spanish popular
traditional vein, sounding rather dated nowadays. Roland Roberts is a reasonably
accomplished violinist, though perhaps with limited imagination, and his
intonation is slightly suspect at times. More seriously (perhaps related
to the recording) his tone sounds wiry and harsh - the CD benefits from playing
with some top cut. The notes by the violinist need proof-reading. For listeners
unfamiliar with Turina, I would recommend first the two CDs devoted to him
by Martin Jones [Spanish Piano Music, Vol. 2 (Nimbus)
reviewed December 1999].
Reviewer
Peter Grahame Woolf
