Ginastera's Garden

[not edward]

I am as yet in a state only of wishing to hear the pieces, and I say this is a crime.

I suspect that if I heard a good performance, the second piano concerto would leap to the top of my favourite Ginastera works list--the first movement in particular seems superbly conceived to me, everything leading up to the climactic moment when the source material (that famous chord from the finale of Beethoven's Ninth) is revealed.

I think I have a particular admiration for shocking moments like that, where you realize afterwards that a momentary passage is so effective because it's been prepared so well.

[lescamil]

It's a shame that Dora de Marinis's recording of the second piano concerto is so unsatisfactory, with so many mistakes and some glossed over passages with not much attention to detail. I feel that way about her recording of the first concerto also, but I think it is more apparent in the second concerto, especially when you have the score in front of you. These pieces need committed recordings that deliver the sort of punch and primitive energy, balanced with technical clarity, that these pieces demand. Here's to hoping that Gisèle Ben-Dor and some committed pianist hop on these two great works.

[karlhenning]

Okay, the disc of the string quartets landed a short while ago . . . I've been catching up on other listening (and closing in on the end of the first movement of my viola sonata) . . . but I will listen tomorrow or Friday.

[not edward]

Good news, everyone: Mark Kosower is following up his Naxos recording of Ginastera's solo cello and cello/piano music with a disc of the concerti:

Mr. Kosower performed the Ginastera Cello Concerto No. 2 last spring on tour with the Bamberger Symphoniker and is currently recording the work with them (also for Naxos) along with the Cello Concerto No. 1, a continuation of his extensive work with that composer's catalogue."

source: http://newswire.scena.org/2009/12/cleveland-orchestra-appoints-principal.html

He also arrives with the momentum of an active solo career. Besides appearing regularly in concert, Kosower also records on the Naxos label. His next disc, featuring Ginastera's Cello Concertos Nos. 1 and 2, is due out next year.

source: http://www.cleveland.com/musicdance/index.ssf/2010/06/new_principal_cellist_for_clev.html

[karlhenning]

Excellent!

[Daverz]

Good news, everyone: Mark Kosower is following up his Naxos recording of Ginastera's solo cello and cello/piano music with a disc of the concerti:

I have the recording of these by Ginastera's widow.  I listened once when I got it.  l'll have to give it another spin today.

[not edward]

Thread necromancy to note that the aforementioned Naxos recording of the cello concerti is on their May new releases list.

[karlhenning]

Thanks, Edward!

[snyprrr]

The Piano Quintet,... wow!@!

[Mirror Image]

Thread necromancy to note that the aforementioned Naxos recording of the cello concerti is on their May new releases list.

I'm so there. Thanks for the heads up my friend.

[Scion7]

Move request - Ginastera's Garden ---- to ---->  GINASTERA'S MUSICAL JUNTA

         

Decided on some adventurous 2:15 a.m. listening - the String Quartets.   

I think he's Latin America's greatest composer.

[snyprrr]

bump

[Brahmsian]

Ginastera's string quartets are great, unique pieces.   Try them, if you haven't already - Mr. Snyprrr   

[Daverz]

Barbara Nissman has recorded the piano concertos.  I haven't heard these, but they've gotten good reviews.

[asin]http://B00AA9QL36[/asin]

[not edward]

Barbara Nissman has recorded the piano concertos.  I haven't heard these, but they've gotten good reviews.

[asin]http://B00AA9QL36[/asin]

Fabulous news: the Naxos recording of the 2nd concerto really doesn't do the music justice, and I think it's really major Ginastera.

Wishlisted!

[kyjo]

Barbara Nissman has recorded the piano concertos.  I haven't heard these, but they've gotten good reviews.

[asin]http://B00AA9QL36[/asin]

Hate to say this, but the Naxos recordings of the PCs are actually better than these. Not only are the performances not up to snuff, but Nissman made some cuts in the PCs, apparently! The main attraction here is by the world premiere recording of the Concierto Argentino, a highly enjoyable, colorful work in Ginastera's folksy early style. All IMHO, of course.

[lescamil]

Hate to say this, but the Naxos recordings of the PCs are actually better than these. Not only are the performances not up to snuff, but Nissman made some cuts in the PCs, apparently! The main attraction here is by the world premiere recording of the Concierto Argentino, a highly enjoyable, colorful work in Ginastera's folksy early style. All IMHO, of course.

Completely agreed. Nissman's solo disks with the piano works and chamber music aren't great, either. Her playing leaves a lot to be desired and I was disappointed to see that she was the one that undertook this project. I put a scathing review of this on another site, but you highlighted the major quip I had, which was the cuts. She apparently also played an original version of the second movement of the second concerto, which is for right hand alone, but, even so, it sounds technically inadequate and under-rehearsed, both on her part and the part of the orchestra. The Naxos recordings are slower and safer, but at least all of the notes are there and the playing is satisfactory enough. This just shows how difficult it is to pull off these concertos for all parties involved, and despite my critical comments, I still commend these artists for putting out their efforts!

[snyprrr]

Ginastera's string quartets are great, unique pieces.   Try them, if you haven't already - Mr. Snyprrr   

I only have No.2, which certainly has a heady. steamy mix of South American flavors... he likes the misterioso passages. It has that Janacek/Bartok 'hard folk'.

No.3 has singing, no? That I always shy away from. Maybe one day.

The Piano Quintet is the most blistering.

[lescamil]

No.3 has singing, no? That I always shy away from. Maybe one day.

It does have singing, but the string quartet writing is unlike the other 2. It's quite fantastical, and it's a perfect accompaniment for the text. Try out at least the second movement, which has no singing!

[snyprrr]

1)We have two choices for the 2 Cello Concertos: Naxos and the Composer's daughter. Any thoughts?

2)Also, how essential is Popal Vuh? It looks delicious...

3)Then there's that disc of 3 Piano Concertos... anyone?