Carlos SEIXAS (1704 - 1742)
Harpsichord Concerto in A Major [8.06]
Symphony in B flat Major [8.08]
Overture in D Major [7.54]
Harpsichord Concerto in G Minor (anonymous) [16.42]
Ferenc Liszt Chamber
Orchestra/Janos Rolla
Janos Sebestyen/harpsichord
rec: 1982 (symphony/overture), 1984 (concertos).
STRAUS SP 4154
[41.45]
Carlos Seixas was a prolific Portuguese composer who wrote more than 700
keyboard works. Many of these pieces were lost in the great earthquake of
1755 that destroyed the musical library of the Royal Palace. However some
one hundred keyboard sonatas, in addition to the works on this disc, are
extant.
Seixas's music belongs to the transitional period between baroque and classical
music, and these works contain elements that recall the former and fit naturally
in the latter. There is a predominance of strings, and a clear Mozartian
sound in the symphony and overture. The music is light and lively, and marked
by a strong rhythm reinforced by trumpets and timpani.
The harpsichord concertos are more interesting, with an agreeable interplay
between the harpsichord and the orchestra. They nevertheless recall some
of the least interesting Mozart concertos. The second, anonymous harpsichord
concerto is similar in form and style to Seixas's works, but it, too, lacks
depth. Yet this disc is essentially a disappointment. The music sounds like
many other composers of the period, without any uniqueness to set it apart.
The recording is also poor - the sound of the orchestral works is flat, and
there is little emotion to be felt from this performance. Both listening
on speakers and headphones gives the same effect; there is little space in
the recording, and all the instruments sound like a mass playing together
in the centre.
The harpsichord works are recorded slightly better, although the harpsichord
itself sounds too weak in comparison with the orchestra, often drowned out
by the other instruments (although this is too often the case with harpsichord
concertos). This 41-minute disc is of little interest, other than to those
especially interested in Portuguese music of the 18th century.
A disappointing disc containing unremarkable orchestral music from the
pre-classical period.
Kirk McElhearn
CONTACT DETAILS
The prices are: UK pounds 6 and US dollars 10 (freight not included).
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Freight --- till 3 cd's --- not registered --- £2.40;registered----
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For USA---- 1 or 2 CDs-----US$3.50 ; 3 CDs --- $5.50
Freight --till 3cd's -- not registered ---$5 ;registered ---- $6.80
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