Search - Kaikhosru Sorabji, Donna Amato :: Sorabji: Fantaisie Espagnole

Essential for those interested in the music of K.S.S....

John Carey | America | 06/20/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Many may find Sorabji's larger works (like Opus Clavicembalisticum, for example) too heavy for their liking. Unfortunately, the performances of those pieces leave much to be desired. Many have firmly decided, after hearing the Opus Clavicembalisticum, that they do not like Sorabji's music. Well, it is for those people that I recommend this album.



All right, first of all, the work is very similar to music of Debussy or Ravel, with the exception that it does not follow as obvious a structure. It is often in the style of an improvisation. Often, when I listen to this piece, I feel that it could be played quietly in the background for a restaurant. So, overall, it is easy listening. The few "dissonances" are not jarring, and overall, the mood is calm and sometimes lively, but never agressive.



Sorabji's themes are "pretty", though not particularly memorable. Most of the time, the music just wanders around, though not really going anywhere. It is pleasant, but it isn't anything amazing, like I imagine the OC would be if it were played properly. The main theme reoccurs, but isn't developed aside from the habanera section that is based on it. The ending is exciting, though the final chord seems a bit out of place.



Overall, though, this is an enjoyable piece.



However, if there is anything about this package that would cause me to drop a few stars, it would be the fact that there is only one track on the CD, and it is only 17 minutes long. And, the CD doesn't come in a regular case, but one of the thin ones - the cheap kind. I have no idea why the would do it this way, but the product loses points from me right there.



But, I would still recommend this to anyone who has or hasn't heard any of Sorabji's other works. This is the easiest piece I've heard so far of his for the average person to listen to. You don't need to be incredibly sophisticated in music to like this. I suggest giving this a try. I think that for many people who claim to dislike Sorabji's music, this could very well change their minds."

Amato knocks the hell out of Sorabji's Palermo Spain

scarecrow | Chicago, Illinois United States | 04/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is early Sorabji filled with the obvious scents,gems,colours,filigrees,sputters of languid phrases incredible ornamentions,habaneras,aromas of Palermo. It dates from 1919. Sorabji wrote an earlier sketch of this work which differs in detail only from the final version. Although he regreted some aspects of this Espagnole de la nino, of his youth,he kept the piece even playing it himself for amusement. All this may remind you of Ravel and Scriabin,the transitional period of romanticism when the Orient,the exotic held the imagination o serious purveyors of art. Recall that the realm of fantasy was an integral part of the metamorphosis to modernity.Even some Listz is here hovering above the entertainment here, but all with great conceptual distance,for Sorabji had a gift for creating energetic engaging furioso piano sonorities that at once fills the keyboard with cascades of colour,tremoli,unapproachable scales and flourishes, but then surrenders to simplicity as well in a habanera rhythm in this work. I would call this work an "encore" work in Sorabji's body of work, it's not very long, yet is memorable and makes a deep impression as Amato's performance. There are no adjectives in the pianistic repertoire to describe her playing she plays with conviction, clarity, and committement with control for Sorabji's over indulgent music. She has made Sorabji a permanent part of her repertoire."

Good Sorabji.

offeck | New York, NY -- United States of America | 12/15/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Her pianism seems a bit thin at times, or maybe just not recorded well. Great music, but the price is too high for the small amount of music provided and the minimal packaging. I might prefer Habermann's recording of this work."