A Continuation of This Wonderful Series
J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 10/10/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the fourth in the series of recordings of all of Villa-Lobos's piano music done by Brazilian pianist Sonia Rubinsky, who has been a standout in previous issues. This issue does not disappoint, and it contains one of my favorite Villa-Lobos pieces, his 'Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4,' the one originally for piano alone (and later orchestrated by the composer; it is that version that is better known, I think). This four-movement work appears first on the CD and it was all I could do to move beyond movement one, 'Prelúdio,' with its solemn manner, ravishing melody and Bachian harmonies (a parade around a slightly idiosyncratic circle of fifths that one prays will continue on into eternity). This is an extraordinary rendition of an extraordinarily beautiful piece. The following 'Coral,' 'Aria,' and 'Dansa' continue this meditation on the music of Bach which so obsessed Villa-Lobos all his life--twenty minutes of musical bliss for this listener. The Bachianas is followed by 'Poema Singelo' ('Simple Song') a lovely waltz that is anything but simple. It is a lilting, sophisticated rondo whose harmonic excursions repay study.
The eight-movement 15-minute suite 'Carnaval das Crianças' ('Children's Carnival') whose miniatures include such titles as 'The Little Pierrot's Pony,' 'The Masked Boy's Pranks,' and 'The Fife of a Precocious Daydreamer,' is overtly Brazilian in tone and is virtuosic; amazingly, it was intended for young students in Marquerite Long's class at the Paris Conservatoire--those children must have been little prodigies! Rubinsky catches both the rhythmic complexities and the childlike tone of the suite. An early piece, 'Francette et Pía,' (also fifteen minutes long) was also written for children and seems more appropriate for intermediate students. It tells the story of a Brazilian Indian boy who goes to France, falls in love with a little French girl (represented wittily by a variation on 'Auprès de ma blonde'). The final piece of each of these suites is for piano duet (one piano, four hands). In these Rubinsky is joined by Tatjana Rankovich.
'A Fiandeira' ('The Spinner') is a tiny but technically very difficult depiction of its title and features fleet filigree accompaniment both under and over a sweet and lyrical melody. 'Simples Coletânea' ('Simple Collection') is a very early (1917) suite of three character pieces entitled 'Mystic Waltz,' 'In an Enchanted Cradle,' and 'Round Dance.' They are more obviously influenced by French impressionism than the later works. 'Round Dance' in particular is delightful and reminds one of the two-handed moto perpetuo arpeggios so familiar in Debussy's 'Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum' from his 'Children's Corner Suite.'
The final piece here is the four-minute 'Valsa Romântica' which, like the 'Poema Singelo,' has an extremely beguiling melody that is supported by a suave waltz accompaniment. A fitting end to an entirely satisfying disc.
Strongly recommended for anyone who loves Villa-Lobos's music and for those who want an entrée into his piano music.
TT=69:53
Scott Morrison"
