Search - Czech National So, Freeman :: Exotic Concertos

Unique Fun Music

Steven Apergis | Burke, VA USA | 09/11/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In spite of the previous review, I purchased this CD for two reasons:



1. Our community orchestra recently performed the Gould Tap Dance Concerto. Although at times Gould can be gimmicky, we thought the work was very ingenious. We had a great deal of fun playing it. Even mediocre Gould is pretty good.



2. I liked that piece and wanted a recording of it. It appears that this is the only recording that is currently available.



After listening to it, what can I say? I thought of a conversation I had with my brother after he had been married for about a year. I asked him how is mother-in-law was and his response was, "Compared to what."



If one is expecting the Bach Brandenburg Concertos, do not get this recording. If one is interested in some unique music written in a 20th Century tonal style, by all means, give this recording a try.



The weakest piece on the program is the Maracas Concerto. The problem is that it is too long. It might have worked as a 5 minute piece, but 15 minutes?



As far as the performance, what can I say? This is not the Berlin Philharmonic. Since I have performed the Gould Tap Concerto, I am familiar with the work and the performance sounded good to me. This is a competant performance by a good European Orchestra. The recordings of the Gould and the Jan Bach Steelpan Concerto were live performances."