BaL 18.02.17 - Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez

**Richard Tarleton** · 10-02-17, 10:05

Quite a list! There's yet another Bream performance on DVD from his BBC2 TV series back in the '80s ("Guitarra", a KULTUR DVD no D0067, ISBN 0-7697-0067-5), with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe conducted by Sir Charles Groves (spelt Grove on the DVD cover

). The Bream/Davis/Melos (inc the late Gervase de Peyer, I have no doubt) dates from 1964 and was the version that introduced me to the work. The first performance was given by Regino Sainz de la Maza in Barcelona on 9 November 1940 - his recording was played a year or so ago on R3, still sounding pretty good. I used to have a recording by the late Alirio Diaz which it would appear has dropped off the list, and I'm not sure if the great Ida Presti, who played it a lot in the 1940s (before becoming a duo with Alexandre Lagoya) ever recorded it, perhaps not.

I've only heard it performed live once - by John Williams with the LSO /Previn. I have two of his recordings, and four of Bream's, which is more than enough!

Segovia never recorded or performed it, he was living in South America at the time. Doubtless Tom McKinney will mention this. Tom McKinney has still not explained inventing a Bream quotation on his RR review of the Williams box set, so I'm not sure if I'm speaking to him at the moment.

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 10-02-17, 10:34

The harp version is very good, and the instrument is well suited to the concert platform, requiring no sound balance tinkering.

**Nick Armstrong** · 10-02-17, 11:25

The Karadaglic/LPO/Nezet-Séguin version recently 'won' the blind-listening French Tribune des Critiques survey of the work, sounding better than a number of the sacred beasts in the list and making one listen anew (the performance of the slow movement is spell-binding and sounds somehow fresh). I acquired it immediately. Don't think I shall be getting any others....

**richardfinegold** · 10-02-17, 11:43

I always find the dates of the composition interesting; basically written on the eve of the Spanish Civil War. The themes from the piece have been overused to point of kitsch than for most people in States--who are much less likely to travel to Spain than people from the U.K.--they represent 'real Spain'. I've read that Franco took a real shine to Rodrigo, and trotted him out for propaganda purposes.
I like the piece, and my wife positively swoons during the slow movement. I've never felt the need to augment my collection past John Williams

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 10-02-17, 11:43

The Bonell/Dutoit was one of my first ever CDs, back in 1983. It still impresses.

**Richard Tarleton** · 10-02-17, 11:50

Who are you calling a sacred beast, Cali?

These days I'm more likely to listen to the Bream/Rattle version, one of his 4 valedictory recordings with EMI. Bream played it on the BBC in 1951 when still in his teens - he speaks amusingly about the episode in the DVD "My Life in Music" - he bought all the orchestral parts, and was paid about £5 by the BBC.

I very rarely listen to it these days - heard it too many times.

Milos was off games last year - not sure if he's back?

**Richard Tarleton** · 10-02-17, 12:05

Originally posted by richardfinegold View Post

I always find the dates of the composition interesting; basically written on the eve of the Spanish Civil War. The themes from the piece have been overused to point of kitsch than for most people in States--who are much less likely to travel to Spain than people from the U.K.--they represent 'real Spain'. I've read that Franco took a real shine to Rodrigo, and trotted him out for propaganda purposes.
I like the piece, and my wife positively swoons during the slow movement. I've never felt the need to augment my collection past John Williams

Richard, it was written in 1939, at the end of the civil war (and first perf in 1940). I get the impression that Rodrigo was apolitical, naive at best - he'd lived in Germany in the 1930s. An interesting piece here. Being blind, life was hard enough for him. I haven't read Graham Wade's biography.

Agreed absolutely about kitsch, I can't bear hearing the adagio out of context.

**Nick Armstrong** · 10-02-17, 12:11

Originally posted by Richard Tarleton View Post

I very rarely listen to it these days - heard it too many times.

Milos was off games last year - not sure if he's back?

Yes that was my feeling till I heard the Nezet-Séguin.

Didn't know about Milos's hand

I can find out if he's back, he's a mate of Laurie Watt of this parish.

**Pulcinella** · 10-02-17, 12:18

Originally posted by Richard Tarleton View Post

Agreed absolutely about kitsch, I can't bear hearing the adagio out of context.

It was the 'wake-up' music for us on an escorted coach trip around Seville, Granada, Cordoba, etc, a few years ago, as we got near to our destination (or a pit stop along the way). The driver claimed it was his favourite piece of music!

**ferneyhoughgeliebte** · 10-02-17, 12:26

Originally posted by Richard Tarleton View Post

I very rarely listen to it these days - heard it too many times.

Yes - I give it a spin about once a decade or so. Perfectly happy with the Kraft/NCO/Ward NAXOS disc with the Villa-Lobos and Castelnuovo-Tedesco couplings - might give this BaL a miss.

**vinteuil** · 10-02-17, 12:31

Originally posted by ferneyhoughgeliebte View Post

Yes - I give it a spin about once a decade or so ... might give this BaL a miss.

... a free morning at last! Hurrah!!

**Bryn** · 10-02-17, 12:50

I have some of the usual suspects but since getting the Behrend/BP/Peters some decades ago have felt no need to supplement further.

**BBMmk2** · 10-02-17, 18:15

I'll be giving this one a miss!

**visualnickmos** · 10-02-17, 20:20

Blimey!
Well - I don't often spin this one, but it is a fine composition. I've heard a few versions, and they range from wonderfull, to b****y awful!
Yepes on Decca with Argenta conducting the "Spanish National Orchestra" can't recall the exact name without delving, is my choice - so far!

So come on - give the guy a chance!

( that said, I really do have to be in the mood)

BaL 18.02.17 - Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez

BaL 18.02.17 - Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez

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