Customer Reviews

Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez; Walton: 5 Bagatelles; Christopher Parkening

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Where many performances of the Concierto de Aranjuez, both live and on record, pay insufficient attention to the outer movements, treating them essentially as bookends for the sublime and justly famous slow middle movement, Parkening, Litton, and the Royal Philharmonic offer a superb reading of the whole concerto. The slow movement is not just gorgeous, it's also well understood by these musicians, and in the faster movements they play cunningly off the mix of Baroque dance and dissonant Modermist elements that are at play here. Ditto the Fantasia Para un Gentilhombre: movement after movement these are simply excellent, even stunning interpretations and performances.

The Walton rounds out the Rodigo to make this an incredible album. Most discs of this sort are exclusively Flamenco-inflected affairs but the Walton here offers the contrast of an exceptional essay in accessible Modernism. I'm not sure I remember the last time I enjoyed the use of 20th century dissonances and assymetries as much as I do with this piece. The Walton is a composition of depth and sophistication and you will want to get to know it... whether you're a guitar player or not.

Regarding the Walton Five Bagatelles, as arranged by Patrick Russ for guitar and orchestra: Anyone who knows and appreciates the originals for solo guitar, or Walton's orchestration titled "Varii Capricci", will probably find this new edition (appearing here in its premiere recording) a remarkably faithful fusion of two of Walton's great late works. Russ's dedication to Walton is clear, and his creation is most exciting. Parkening's playing on the Walton is faultless.

Regarding the Rodrigo: Parkening here is in very fine form, though I admit a preference to John Williams's enthusiastic verve in this particular piece. (This from an expert on Walton, not Rodrigo.) Rodrigo is quoted on the cover as saying "magnificent interpretation of my compositions," which can be taken or left as you wish. Regardless, if you are interested in this recording also for the Walton, then the Rodrigo should not be a drawback.

I just want to let everyone know that this is a great CD and belongs in everyones collection.

What someone said earlier about the RPO recording it and then Parkening adding his part later is simply not true. I do not appreciate that ignorant statement because I love this CD so much and listen to the entire thing nearly every day!

Without a doubt the most moving and beautiful interpretation of the Rodrigo Cojcierto! I have heard them all and there is just something about this one by Parkening that outshines the rest. Very moving and with great feeling.

Christopher Parkening's playing was technically perfect and full of emotion on this album.

Parkening's version of the Aranjuez is severely lacking in musicallity and emotional interpretation. This may be due to how the CD was recorded, in that, the RPO recorded its part and then Parkening dubbed in his part at a later time. This is highly dubious and definitely works as a disadvantage for the overall interpretation of the work. Parkening's performance may be technically acceptable, but for those who want a performance of the Aranjuez that is not only technically dazzling, but is also emotionally rich and musically fullfilling, buy Pepe Romero's recording with the Academy-of-St. Martin's-in the Field under Sir Neville Marriner released in 1994. Not only is it the definitive recording, but it was one of the composer's favorite recordings of his concerto.