Customer Reviews

Latin American Ballets

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This is perhaps the most satisfying CD purchase I've made, bar none. If that seems excessive, well, O.K., it is. BUT, this disc is phenomenal, and for a lover of Latin-American classical music, its a must. The ballet Uirapuru cemented my view that Villa-Lobos is one of the most phenomenal orchestrators. Uirapuru is a dark, mystical score that tells the story of an enchanted rainforest bird who turns into a man, who falls in love with a madien, but then gets shot by an angry old flute-playing man with a bow who's upset because some hunters beat him up because he wierded them out. Well, the story may be somewhat silly, but the music is unsettlingly powerful, with glittering orchestration that is masterfully highlighted by Mata's superb Venezuelan players. Chavez's Horse-Power suite is fascinating in a much more visceral way, with a mix of neo-classical wit and chugging latin rhythms. The closing movement, 'El Tropico', far surpasses the Pat Benatar album of the same name, and weaves intricate Bach-ian counterpoint into a darkly sentimental yet energizing tango. The final selection, by far the most well known, is Ginastera's popular Estancia ballet suite. For those who DON'T know the piece, be prepared for blistering 6/8 rhythms and exhilirating syncopations (a mainstay for Ginastera works). The performances are phenomenal, and totally committed. Dorian (who have put out a number of excellent CD's surveying important Latin-American repertoire) provides top-shelf sound, as usual. O.K., so maybe it's not the BEST CD EVER, but it's close.

The selections on this CD are excellent works that are unfortunately not very common in the classical repetoire. I really love this CD, especially for the 'Estancia' Ballet Suite. The best way to describe these Ginastera dances is intense, since they have such powerful underlying rhythms, and a driving energy that they will really get you going. In addition, there is a slower Danza del Trigo has a sweet flute and violin solos to conterbalance the driving energy of the other three movments. The last dance 'Malambo' is a whirlwind of a finale that will leave you a little out of breath at the end. I played this suite in orchestra and it was a real joy to perform and even better to listen to.

Uirapuru is a dark and intense piece. Musically, it doesn't seem to make much sense, but the then again the story it tells is a little strange. Great harmonics and some mysterious sounding melodies. I really enjoyed hearing this piece for the first time on this CD.

Though I wasn't totally enamored by the Caballos de Vapor Suite, it still had some great latin rhythms.

Overall, excellent work by the Simon Bolivar Orchestra. Bravo!