ArcoDiva, the Prague
based record company, present an attractive
new release of music for flute, viola
and harp. The label tends to specialise
in Czech music but as you can see exceptions
are made.
The ‘Bohemia Luxembourg
Trio’ is a name that doesn’t exactly
trip off the tongue. Its members are
Czech (Bohemia), Hosprová and
Englichová with flautist Jans
who hails from Luxembourg.
The first work on the
release is an arrangement of Mozart’s
Duo for violin and viola in G Major,
KV423 from Salzburg in 1783. The appealing
three movement work opens with a good
humoured Allegro followed by
a warmly congenial Adagio. A
touch more vivacity from the players
would have helped in the closing movement
Rondo.
Composed in 1915 Debussy’s
Sonata for flute, viola and harp
is cast in three movements. It been
described by David Ewen as, "infused
with Mediterranean colour and warmth".
The flowing lyricism of the opening
Pastorale is evocative of waking
up from a restful sleep to a bright
sunny morning. The music in the central
Interlude meanders before resting
for welcome refreshment and the Finale
expresses a wide range of emotions.
Jolivet’s Petite Suite was written
in 1941. In the booklet notes Dita Hradecka
(trans. Karel Janovicky) explains, "The
Suite consists of five short ‘sound
pictures’, giving an impression of both
a certain archaism and of exoticism…"
In this highly engaging work I especially
enjoyed the restive Prelude.
I experienced the Allant as if
the composer was pining for a loved
one.
Beethoven’s Serenade
Op. 25 from 1801 is presented here
in Ami Maayani’s arrangement made in
1936. In seven short movements the Serenade
is described in the booklet notes as,
"a little work of carefree grace…"
The highlights are the bright and breezy
opening movement; the attractive Andante
con variazioni with its feeling
that romance is in the air and the bold
and restless final Allegro.
Throughout the recording
flautist Carlo Jans is placed the furthest
forward in the recording balance and
it is hard not to be impressed with
his silvery tone. Star performer Hosprová
impresses strongly with the richly mellow
timbre of her viola and harpist Englichová
performs with lyrical sensitivity. Especially
impressive is the trio’s unity of ensemble.
Recorded in the Domovina Studio in Prague
in 2006 the sound quality is satisfactory,
although, the prominent flute is very
sharp in the forte passages.
I note that the trio
have another
release of concertante works by Jindřich
Feld, Zdeněk Lukáš and Viktor Kalabis.
They are recorded with the Prague
Chamber Orchestra under Antonín
Hradil. The sessions took place in Prague
in 2006 and the disc is available on
ArcoDiva UP 0097-2 131.
review
Returning to the present
release. this is quality music in a
lighter vein. It is perfect for relaxing
and for late night listening. A fascinating
disc that will undoubtedly appeal to
a wide range of listeners.
Michael Cookson
for
details
Bohemia Luxembourg
Trio: (Carlo Jans (flute); Jitka Hosprová
(viola); Kateřina Englichová (harp))
