This disc is proof that you can’t judge a book by its cover. First
impressions would lead one to believe that this was a made-on-the-cheap
disc produced and distributed by some local university music department.
But no! What we have here is just under an hour of delightful
and on the whole, unusual music, performed with great élan and
musicianship.
Georges
Auric, a member of Les Six, was best known for his
film music. Yet he left behind some real gems in his concert
music; music that is regrettably obscure and rarely programmed.
These little bagatelles are chock full of wit and tuneful
charm. Over in less than eight minutes, if you are not paying
attention, you could miss something really important. These
are worth a careful listen with headphones!
Next
up is a charming concerto by Vivaldi, and the note are unclear
as to whether or not this is a transcription, but it could
well be a sort of modified trio sonata for winds. Whatever
its origins, it works. The Trio Quantz delivers an elegant
and well balanced performance.
The
other real find here is the witty and sometimes acerbic Burlesque
by Georges Barboteu, whom one might easily guess is the
father of the oboist on this recording. This is a tuneful
work that is not in the least hampered by its witty dissonances.
M. Barboteu uses his harmonic bite with great taste and discretion.
I found this work to be one of the most refreshing and enjoyable
of the lot.
If
there are any real flaws to be found in our ensemble’s playing,
it is in the Beethoven trio, in which our flutist cannot quite
come to grips with the scale and arpeggio passages at the
group’s chosen tempi. Gestures that should be crystal clear
are often muddied, and this messiness stands out in rather
stark contrast to the clear and punctuated playing of the
double-reeders.
That
minor quibble out of the way, we conclude with Piazzolla’s
lovely tribute to the memory of his father, an improvisatory
work that can last up to a half an hour. This arrangement
comes in at just over three minutes, and makes for the perfect
conclusion to this musical string of pearls. One could wish
for better packaging though. The sepia tone photo on the front
cover looks like it came out of the sixties, and the rather
dull presentation would not entice a casual buyer to try this
out. The typos in the program do not help matters either.
Kevin
Sutton
