Search - Alicia De Larrocha :: Alicia de Larrocha : Spanish Serenade

Superb Spanish playing from Alicia

Malcolm Saldanha | Washington, DC | 03/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't think the sound is as excellent as Leslie Gerber states, although it's clearly not as bad as on some of De Larrocha's other RCA recordings.



Also, because Larrocha's dynamic range rarely exceeds "forte" the sound is much easier on the ear, and her trademark beautiful tone and feeling for rhythm are transparent throughout.



Everything on this disc is beautifully played and shows why she is the queen of Spanish music. In the Falla items, in particular, she shows some pretty masterful pianism--just listen to the gorgeous (and virtually unknown) "Serenata Andaluza" and the Dance from "La Vida Breve". I doubt that these could be played more perfectly than they are here.



The very difficult Fantasia Baetica is good too, but Larrocha doesn't sound as as easily in command of the notes as on her earlier all-Falla recording on London/Decca (one of my very favorite piano CD's). However, it's still pretty impressive, as are the four "Piezas Espanolas". Again, her feeling for rhythm is one of things I've always loved about her playing.



Like Janacek, it is a great a disappointment that Falla didn't compose more for the piano. I just love his music, and I suspect he could have added to the piano repetory much more significantly than he did.



The second half of the CD is devoted to Montsalvatge. The music is certainly enjoyable, but not as distinctive melodically as the Falla. She plays the virtuosic Sonatina much more gently than in her previous recording.



This is one of the best discs Larrocha has done since she became and RCA artist, and I would recommend it highly."