Ginastera's Garden

[Mirror Image]

If you compare the recording of the first concerto with Oscar Tarrego's reading on ASV, it's pretty obvious that Naxos' soloist is very much playing it safe--and that just isn't good enough. Ginastera needs that wildness.

Playing it safe in Latin American music is never an option. This music is supposed to be played with an edge and sense of danger.

[karlhenning]

Also, has anyone else gotten that new Naxos recording with Ben-Dor conducting the Panambí and Estancia suites, Popol Vuh, Ollantay, and the Suite de Danzas Criollas? Another amazing recording from the great Gisèle, if you ask me.

No . . . what I've got is, I think, JoAnn Falletta and the Buffalo Phil playing Panambí and Estancia complete.

[Mirror Image]

No . . . what I've got is, I think, JoAnn Falletta and the Buffalo Phil playing Panambí and Estancia complete.

I don't recall JoAnn Falletta performing the complete "Panambi" and "Estancia." The only recording of the full ballets, to my knowledge, are Giselle Ben-Dor and the London Symphony Orchestra's recording on Koch (now re-issued on Naxos).

[karlhenning]

I don't recall JoAnn Falletta performing the complete "Panambi" and "Estancia." The only recording of the full ballets, to my knowledge, are Giselle Ben-Dor and the London Symphony Orchestra's recording on Koch (now re-issued on Naxos).

My mistake, that must be the one.

[lescamil]

Yes, Ben-Dor's recordings of those complete suites were reissued some time ago, and they are of course amazing. However, the disk I mentioned is a very recent release, from this month. I highly recommend it to all, both Ginastera veterans and neophytes alike.

[Mirror Image]

Yes, Ben-Dor's recordings of those complete suites were reissued some time ago, and they are of course amazing. However, the disk I mentioned is a very recent release, from this month. I highly recommend it to all, both Ginastera veterans and neophytes alike.

Actually, the new release has only excerpts from the "Panamabi" and "Estancia" ballets. The full ballets have already been released under Ben-Dor. This month's release main interest, for me, is "Popol Vuh."

[lescamil]

Actually, the new release has only excerpts from the "Panamabi" and "Estancia" ballets. The full ballets have already been released under Ben-Dor. This month's release main interest, for me, is "Popol Vuh."

Yeah, that is what I said, regarding the release this month. I meant to say that the earlier Ben-Dor re-release had the complete *ballets*, rather than complete suites. Just another case of my fingers thinking faster than my brain, heh. Anyways, this recording of Popol Vuh is very much welcomed after that release by Slatkin, and, with Ginastera's works, you can never have too many recordings, especially with the neglected late pieces.

[Mirror Image]

Yeah, that is what I said, regarding the release this month. I meant to say that the earlier Ben-Dor re-release had the complete *ballets*, rather than complete suites. Just another case of my fingers thinking faster than my brain, heh. Anyways, this recording of Popol Vuh is very much welcomed after that release by Slatkin, and, with Ginastera's works, you can never have too many recordings, especially with the neglected late pieces.

Slatkin is one of the worst conductors I've ever heard. He has been praised for years by critics, but I have seldom heard any recording of his that I enjoy. Statkin conducting Ginastera is probably one of the worst things that I can possibly imagine. He has no affinity for Latin American music.

[not edward]

There's also this recording of Popol Vuh, with the Cantata para america magica, which looks really interesting. Anyone heard it?

[Mirror Image]

There's also this recording of Popol Vuh, with the Cantata para america magica, which looks really interesting. Anyone heard it?

That recording does look interesting. I'll have to investigate it.

[springrite]

Slatkin is one of the worst conductors I've ever heard. He has been praised for years by critics, but I have seldom heard any recording of his that I enjoy. Statkin conducting Ginastera is probably one of the worst things that I can possibly imagine. He has no affinity for Latin American music.

Totally agree with you about Slatkins. Everytime I see his name, I remember being on the front roll at Dorothy Chandler listening to him conductin Dvorak 7, for much of the time he had his head turned and smiled at people in the front row, probably a lady sitting not far from me. I was disgusted by his behavior and turned down every opportunity to listen to him again.

[Mirror Image]

Totally agree with you about Slatkins. Everytime I see his name, I remember being on the front roll at Dorothy Chandler listening to him conductin Dvorak 7, for much of the time he had his head turned and smiled at people in the front row, probably a lady sitting not far from me. I was disgusted by his behavior and turned down every opportunity to listen to him again.

He's pretty much as classless and tasteless as they come.

[lescamil]

I have heard Slatkin conduct Ginastera, besides the disputed Popol Vuh recording, and it actually wasn't bad. It was the more famous Piano Concerto No. 1 with Rolf Hind, and it was much, MUCH better than any of the recorded performances out there. I am mostly speaking of the pianist's work, though.

[jowcol]

I am a big Ginastera lover, and, as a Latin American myself, feel a certain connection with it. I own most of his recorded works, but am always looking for more. That said, does anyone know if his Turbae ad passionem gregoriam will be recorded soon, if it has not already been recorded? I think it is his only major large scale work that has not been recorded yet. Given what information I have seen on it on the Boosey website, I think it could be one of his most significant works with a recording.

Also, has anyone else gotten that new Naxos recording with Ben-Dor conducting the Panambí and Estancia suites, Popol Vuh, Ollantay, and the Suite de Danzas Criollas? Another amazing recording from the great Gisèle, if you ask me.

I have the full length Panambi and Estancia-- I particuarly love Panambi- the debt to early Stravinsky may be too obvious, but who cares?  Great stuff.

I must admit the piano concerti I've listened to didn't really address my needs at the time, but I'm sure that I was the weak link in the chain.

[Brahmsian]

The String Quartets are really good music, but I do not care for the incorporation of the soprano voice, in the 3rd (I think).

Franco, Harry and I share this sentiment.  We love the first two string quartets, but not too keen on the third quartet.

[karlhenning]

Franco, Harry and I share this sentiment.  We love the first two string quartets, but not too keen on the third quartet.

At the risk of seeming to aggravate this complaint, Ray . . . how do you like the soprano in Schoenberg's second quartet?

[Brahmsian]

At the risk of seeming to aggravate this complaint, Ray . . . how do you like the soprano in Schoenberg's second quartet?

I can't comment on it Karl, as I haven't heard any of Schoenberg's quartets yet. 

[Daverz]

I must admit the piano concerti I've listened to didn't really address my needs at the time, but I'm sure that I was the weak link in the chain.

There aren't really any good performances of these on CD.  The Lp of PC 1 with João Carlos Martins is worth seeking out. 

[karlhenning]

There aren't really any good performances of these on CD.

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

[bhodges]

There aren't really any good performances of these on CD.  The Lp of PC 1 with João Carlos Martins is worth seeking out.

I wonder why that hasn't been released on CD?  His performance is the one I've heard mentioned most often.

Coincidentally, I just did an article on Martins, who will be conducting a performance of the Piano Concerto No. 1 with pianist Arthur Moreira Lima here this fall.

--Bruce