Search - George Frederick Handel, Francois-Adrien Boieldieu, Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf :: Harp Concertos

Flavio F. from GLENDALE, CA
Reviewed on 4/19/2009...

This cd includes:
Harp Concerto in B flat major, Op.4/6, HWV 294
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
with Marisa Robles
Conducted by Iona Brown


Concerto for harp & orchestra in C, Op.77
Composed by Francois-Adrien Boieldieu
Performed by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
with Marisa Robles
Conducted by Iona Brown


Concerto for harp, 2 oboes, 2 horns & stringorchestra in A major
Composed by Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf
Performed by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
with Marisa Robles
Conducted by Iona Brown


Theme, variations, and rondo pastorale
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (attrib)
Performed by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
with Marisa Robles
Conducted by Iona Brown


Variations for Harps
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
with Marisa Robles
Conducted by Iona Brown


6 Variations (on a Swiss song for piano in F major, WoO 64
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
with Marisa Robles
Conducted by Iona Brown

2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.

Sublime playing and excellent recording

David J. Friedlander | Columbus, Ohio United States | 05/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this for the Handel and was immediately taken with the clarity of tone and an overall crystalline ambiance to the sound. There isn't a slip up anywhere on this recording. The performance is clean and the balance is extraordinary especially considering the soft sound of the harp opposed by an orchestra. This was no problem for the engineers and I don't know of any other recording of Harp concerti that is as successful as this one.



First on the disc is the Handel and this concerto is pretty famous. It also exists as an organ concerto and both versions are valid. The organ sound is quite different than the harp so the 2 versions can almost sound like different works. Handel's writing is engaging, supple and energetic. He has never written an awkward phrase that I'm aware of. His music always has strong direction forward and is brilliantly logical. This is no exception and the rhythmic energy in the music seems rooted in a lively dance-like bounce. I was literally doing a boogaloo in my chair while grinning widely as the music played. Ha! This is great stuff!



The 2nd work on the disc is a Boieldieu concerto and it has characteristics more typical of the Romantic period. Probably the high point of this piece is the slow central movement. This is very beautiful music that has plenty of drama to offset the gentle tinkling of Robles' Harp. His use of diminished chords and moderate dissonance gives a more modern impression than the Handel or the Dittersdorf. (which follows it on the disc) The Rondo Finale uses a line that is at first dissonant and then resolves partly into a slightly unsettling minor chord. This is alternated over and over with contrasting material and perhaps the theme is a bit tiresome after all the returns. This is what a Rondo does though so you will know this theme thoroughly by the time the concerto ends.



Next on the CD is a Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf concerto that is an excellent work. This sweetly melodic concerto shows why he was an extremely popular composer who was lauded during his lifetime. I think this is one of his best efforts. It is easy to get into and the music has logic and beauty and will carry the listener easily along with it. Robles is at home in all three, exhibiting complete control of her complex instrument. The last 3 tracks are single movement bon bons of lesser importance, but that doesn't mean they aren't pleasurable to hear.



The only shortcoming I found was the liner notes. They are short and the information is misleading at times. I would expect a major label like London to check facts presented in the notes. The Theme, Variations and Rondo Pastorale is said to be attributed to Mozart. Instead of elaberating on that, the writer discusses another work not even on this disc and then gives an incorrect Kochel number for it. It took me a few minutes on the internet and a little sleuthing at home to discover the work "attributed to Mozart" is really by Eberl and the Rondo section is based on the Finale of Mozart's String Trio in Eb, K 563.

Of course the liner notes are not why someone buys a CD. If you like harp music in particular and enjoy well written concerti, you absolutely can not go wrong here. This is first class music all the way. Performance, sound, balance and content are all superior. At mid price, its a steal."

Beautiful Music!!

vessie@oz | Australia | 06/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is just beautiful. If you enjoy classical music and/or are looking for music to relax you after a busy day. This CD can help. I especially enjoy listening to this CD when you need to clean,cook it makes the task more enjoyable. (If you can call cleaning enjoyable)

It is great to listen to it when you are reading, having people over for dinner...anytime really.

I hope you like it as much as I have. Happy listening!"