Great Works For Harp

Johann Georg Albrechtsberger (Composer), Francois-Adrien Boieldieu (Composer), Claude Debussy (Composer), Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf (Composer), George Frederick Handel (Composer), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer), Maurice Ravel (Composer), Joaquin Rodrigo (Composer), Ernst Marzendorfer (Conductor), Paul Kuentz (Conductor), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Paul Kuentz Chamber Orchestra (Orchestra), Radio Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Paul Kuentz Chamber Orchestra, Radio Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Ernst Marzendorfer, Paul Kuentz
• Composer: Johann Georg Albrechtsberger, Francois-Adrien Boieldieu, Claude Debussy, Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf, George Frederick Handel, et al.
• Audio CD (March 14, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GLD
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #213,431 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #68 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Strings > Harp

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Classic Performances, aging but still good sound, June 22, 2001

By 

Vinophile "vinophile" (Miami, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Works For Harp (Audio CD)

Nicano Zabaleta was perhaps the first of the superstar virtuoso harpists of the stereo era and his recordings remain touchstones of unhurried virtuosity coupled with elegant musicianship. These performances are beginning to show their age a bit in sound, but the performances are luminous. The Boieldieu Concerto is seldom encountered in concert, but what a lovely, melodic and enchanting work. Today, Marielle Nordman and Marisa Robles both have very fine recordings of the concerto, but Zabaleta's is still worthy, and in this package, quite a bargain. The Albrechtsberger concerto is equally unfamiliar to many listeners and also a charmer, and the performance of the Handel concerto offered in a warm style that may seem a bit old fashioned by today's Original Instrument crowd, but it is highly persuasive. The Debussy and Ravel pieces are given appealing performances, again somewhat large scale compared to some of the chamber performances in the catalog, but brilliantly played.

The only weak link is the Mozart concerto, and weak only because there are so many good performances of the piece now available. I find the performance a bit stiff, but given the other recordings in this set and the low price, it's still a definite find for anyone who loves music for harp and orchestra.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A full 145 minutes of wonderful harp and orchestral music, October 15, 2005

By 

C. B Collins Jr. (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Great Works For Harp (Audio CD)

I certainly realize that this is an older recording but this is also an absolutely wonderful collection of some outstanding works for the harp played by Nicanor Zabaleta. There are 8 composers represented, each with an outstanding composition for harp and orchestra. I have never tired of listening to this CD over the last 20 years, it is rich and varied.

Georg Friedrich Haendel's Concerto pour harpe et orchestre en si bemol majeur, op. 4 no. 6 has been a favorite of mine for over 20 years. It immediately transports me into a state of serenity. It is utterly beautiful with the wonderful support for the harp with the string instruments of the orchestra. The movements remain light, floating, and flowing.

Johann Georg Albrechtberger's Concerto pour harpe et orchestre en ut majeur is a perfect piece to follow the Handel piece since it has more integration of the orchestra into the piece but the harp holds its own amongst the orchestral textures. The influence of Handel seems evident, but this is not meant as a negative comment. On the contrary, the for six movements of this CD moving from Handel to Albrechtsberger is seemless.

Karl Ditters Von Dittersdorf's Concerto pour harpe et orchestre en la majeur has a Mozart sound with flowing harp scales supported by the orchestra. The piece ends with Rondeau: Allegretto that is upbeat energetic and fun. This is a great movement to have in the very center of the CD side 1 to keep the guest awake at your next party.

Maurice Ravel's Introduction et Allegro pour harpe, guatour a cordes, flute et clarinette is very different from the three composers that preceed him on the CD. They are baroque, full of flourish and fun. When we hear Ravel, the mood changes to lush romance.

Claude Debussy's Danses pour harpe et orchester a cordes is less lush and moody romantic like the Ravel piece that preceeds it. However the first movement, Danse scree, is somewhat minimal and almost experimental in its lack of flourishes. In the second movement, Danse profane, I thought of Aaron Copeland compositions for the ballet.

Mozart's Concerto pour flute, harpe et orchestre en ut majeur, K. 299 is well done with Karlheinz Zoeller on the flute in all movements. The second movement, Andantino, is sublime. The third movement, Rondeau Allegro takes off like a rocket, with the harp and flute taking turns in center stage.

Francois-Adrien Boteldieu's Concerto pour harpe et orchestre en ut majeur offers the most pensive piece on the CDs in the second movement Audante-Lento-Allaca. Reverent and well constructed, the piece is only a bit melancholy.

Joaquim Rodrigo's Concerto-Serenade pour harpe et orchestre is upbeat and fun in the first and third movements and pensive in the second, with wonderful compliments between the harp and woodwind instruments.

This is an amazing collection of music, 8 composers are included, and the range of works is impressive and enjoyable. I would strongly recommend this CD.

5.0 out of 5 stars Nicanor Zabaleta, November 25, 2011

By 

Carolyn S. Morrow (OH USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Great Works For Harp (Audio CD)

Nicanor Zabaleta was truly a genious! I love this CD - especially the duets with the flute - Wish I had one oz. of the talent - I don't so next best thing is listening to it. Anyone who purchases this CD will NOT be disappointed.