Search - Waxman :: Goyana

A MARVELOUSLY ENTHRALLING & ENTERTAINING DISC

05/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Decca's recently acclaimed recording of Franz Waxman's powerful THE SONG OF TEREZIN certainly whetted the appetite to hear more from a composer whose earlier reputation had rested almost exclusively on numerous Hollywood film scores. Now a much fuller picture of this remarkably gifted musician can be gleamed from Koch International's enthralling collection of original compositions and arrangements. Of primary interest is "Goyana", a collection of four imaginatively conceived minature sketches for piano, percussion and string orchestra inspired by specific paiantings of Goya, beautifully played by Cristina Ortiz, and the menacing Sinfonietta for strings and timpani whose musical language is close to that of Shostakovich. After this, a frustratingly brief introduction and Scherzo for cello and orchestra provides a tantalizing glimpse of the Cello Concerto that Waxman had hoped to write for Pierre Fournier. All the arrangements are worth savoring, though the best of all is surely the "Auld Lang Syne" variations - a guaranteed party show stopper in which Waxman brilliantly parodies the styles of Mozart, Beethoven, Bach and the composite composer Shostakofiev. Mark Kaplan dazzling performance of Rumanian Rhapsidy is not to be missed. No Waxman collection would be complete without the ubiquitous "Carmen" Fantasie composed for Heifetz. Performed here with wonderful dexterity by Rodney Mack in a transcription for trumpet and orchestra, it sounds amazingly convincing, as does the rest of this very appealing release by the Orquestra Sinfonica de Barcelona i National de Catalunya conducted in high style by Lawrence Foster."

Incredibly hot trumpet virtuoso Rodney Mack!!!!!!!!

04/12/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was particularly stunned by the Carmen Fantasy rendition given by trumpet virtuoso Rodney Mack. His technical facility and breadth of tone is unbelievable! I highly reccomend this recording to anyone who wants to hear tomorrow's virtuoso soloists today!"