Granados: Goyesca

On this CD:

1. Goyescas (Guys in Love), 6 pieces in 2 books for piano, H. 64
Composed by Enrique Granados
Performed by Albert Guinovart

2. El pelele, for piano (also arr. for 2 pianos by Llongás), H. 106
Composed by Enrique Granados
Performed by Albert Guinovart

3. Goyescas (Guys in Love), 6 pieces in 2 books for piano, H. 64
Composed by Enrique Granados
Performed by Albert Guinovart

Tracks:

Moment Musical In E Mino Op. 12 No. 4
Prelude In G Op.32 No.5
Etude-Tableau In D Op.39 No.9
Prelude in D Flat Op.17 No.3
Prelude In E Flat Minor Op.16 No.4
Prelude In G Op.13 No.3
Etude in C Sharp Minor Op.42 No.5
La Vida Breve: First Spanish Dance - Manuel De Falla
Goyescas: Quejas O La Maya Y El Ruisenor
Danza Del Viejo Boyero
Danza De La Moza Donosa
Danza Del Gaucho Matrero
Nocturne In D Flat Op.27 No.2
Fantaisie-Impromptu In C Sharp Minor Op.66
Mephisto Waltz No.1

Tracks:

On Rachmaniov: Vocalise
On The Theme From Bach 'Goldberg Variations'
On Chopin: Nocturne In D Flat
On Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.2
Inspired By Scriabin
On Duermete Mi Nino
In The Style Of Tango
On Granados: 'Quejas O La Maya El Ruisenor'
In The Style Of Bach
On Chopin: Prelude In A
'Improvisation in Blue (Gabriela Montero)'
'Song for Natalia and Isabella (Gabriela Montero)'

Customer Reviews:

Gabriela Montero CDs.......2007-06-12

Excellent service -- speedy, just as described, well-packaged. I'd definitely buy from this seller again.

Non-professional Review.......2007-03-27

Okay, I listen almost exclusively to classical music, but I do so simply for the pleasure and nothing more. I cannot tell you about Gabriela Montero's technique, and, when she improvises, I have no ability to judge the music's intrinsic value, authenticity, or whatever. I can only tell you this: while I own many dozens of albums, running the full spectrum of the classical genre, I value none of them above Montero's Bach and Beyond and her Piano Recital. Pure listening joy!

Absolutely Magnificent!.......2007-03-09

I first saw Gabriela Montero on 60 Minutes a few months ago and was taken by her playing ability as well as her ability to improvise on the classics. Ms. Montero's fingers fly over the keyboard, playing Rachmaninoff more dramatically and key-perfect than I've heard in a long time. I decided to purchase this CD and have not been disappointed.

Improvisations Unbelievable!.......2007-01-26

Gabriela Montero is a tremendous talent, both in standard classical repertoire, and improvisation. I have know her since she was a young girl, and she was by far the best pianist around, even then. She is an undersung pianist of our age, and should rise to the top very soon!

A beautiful breath of fresh air!.......2007-01-20

What a sheer delight hearing her play. I've never heard anyone quite like her. A phenomenally gifted player, and it's a rare treat to hear someone who defies pigeonholing. I had heard her on the radio, and knew I was onto something when her improvisation on a very simple theme gave me the chills. I love both CD's in this collection.

It's interesting hearing the negative response coming from some classical musicians and fans. At times it can seem to roughly follow the stages of grief as proposed by Kubler-Ross. I'm a professional guitarist, and it's funny because it's almost identical to how guitarists react to hearing another guitarist, but with an big class-conscious overlay (all very civilized, of course). Think of the "guitarist screwing in a lightbulb" joke. To paraphrase and extrapolate on what someone might say upon hearing her improvisation:

1. Shock: Wow, he's good. Oh, and it's a woman!? And you say it's improvisation??

2. Denial: That can't possibly be improvisation. Classical musicians don't engage in that untidy process. What she's playing must be written out, and I can tell! Don't ask, I just know it.

3. Anger: This stuff is no good. Only permanent music is of value through the ages, and that's why classical music (and only the European kind) is better than any other music. Besides, I can't improvise, so I reject it - and only THOSE people engage in improvisation.

4. Depression: She can play all the classical music, and seemingly can improvise, or at least pass her stuff off as such. Not only that, she's getting attention and money, and we're not. Why is the world unfair?

5. Acceptance: (sort of) Well, I guess she's selling CD's, and is becoming successful. She is, I hate to admit it, a great player. Even if she is a faker. Of course, they're begging my Muffy to become artist-in-residence in Spoleto....

The other reviewer has a point when he says that she may be viewed as a curiosity. Because she's crossing genres, people may not know what to make of it, and this often causes reflexive hostility. As an improvisor, I would agree that it's hard to say that something is 100% improvised - players tend to have pet phrases and favorite general ideas they return to. But to me, Gabriela's playing is at the highest level of skill, beauty, and feeling, whether improvising or playing written pieces.

Average customer rating:

SO MUCH WONDERFUL MUSIC

Tenth Anniversary Special Edition

Manufacturer: Chesky Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Chesky 20th Anniversary
Best Of Chesky Classics & Jazz & Audiophile Test Disc, Vol. 3
Best Of Chesky Classics & Jazz & Audiophile Test Disc, Vol. 2
Chesky 2K: Sampler
Chesky Records Jazz Sampler & Audiophile Test Compact Disc, Vol. 1

ASIN: B000003GEU
Release Date: 1996-09-17

Tracks:

Just Friends - Johnny Frigo/Bucky/John Pizzarelli
Sugar Blues - Clark Terry
Charles Christopher - Phil Woods
Miss Bea - McCoy Tyner
Congo Blues - Red Rodney
Tricotism - Eddie Daniels
I Love Lucy - Paquito D'Rivera
Meditation - Ana Caram
Grandma's Hands - Livingston Taylor
What You Don't Know - Sara K.
Mama Let Me Lay It On You - Cephas And Wiggins
What Am I Gonna Do With You? - Kenny Rankin
The Word Around Town - Rebecca Pidgeon
Samba De Orfeo - Luiz Bonfa
Caribbean Sunrise - Mongo Santamaria
Rhythms - Badi Assad
Rewind - Oregon
No Quiero Verte - Carlos Heredia

Tracks:

Concerto No.2 In C Minor, Op.18: Moderato - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Jascha Horenstein/Earl Wild
Symphony No.2 In D, Op.43: Allegretto - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir John Barbirolli
Symphony No.4 in E Minor, Op.98: Allegro Energico E Passionato - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Fritz Reiner
The Four Seasons Concerto In G Minor 'L'Estate' (Summer), RV 315: Presto - The Connecticut Early Music Festival Ensemble/Igor Kipnis
The Flute Quartets: No.4 In A, KV 298: Rondeau - Allegretto Grazioso - Gary Schocker/The Chester String Quartet
Piano Concerto No.9 In E-flat, KV 271: I. Rondo - Presto - Mozarteum Orchester Salzburg/Nicola Frisardi
Goyescas: El Fandango De Candil - Benita Meshulam
Piano Trio In A Minor: Final (Anime) - The Ahn Trio
The Soldier's Tale For Three Actors & Instrumental Ensemble: The Soldier's March - Solisti New York/Ransom Wilson
The Fantasias For Solo Piano: Choro No.21 - David Chesky
Choro No.1 - Orquesta Nova/Carlos Franzetti
Antiphon: Like As A Heart Psalms and Spiritual Songs - Westminster Chor/Joseph Flummerfelt

Customer Reviews:

SO MUCH WONDERFUL MUSIC.......2004-08-09

Top notch performers, diverse musical genres,
expertly engineered recordings...a definate
must buy!!

Average customer rating:

Granados Complete Piano Works played by Martin Jones

Granados: The Complete Piano Music

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Spanish Piano Music: Falla, Turina, Mompou
Granados: Goyescas No1-6; Valses poéticos H147
Albéniz: Iberia; Granados: Goyescas
Gernsheim: Complete Symphonies
Granados: Spanish Dances

ASIN: B00005KCA8
Release Date: 2001-07-10

Tracks:

Cartas De Amor: No.1
Cartas De Amor: No.2
Cartas De Amor: No.3
Cartas De Amor: No.4
Valses Intimos: Intro
Valses Intimos: No.1
Valses Intimos: No.2
Valses Intimos: No.3
Valses Intimos: No.4
Valses Intimos: No.5
Valses Intimos: No.6
Valses Intimos: No.7
Valses Intimos: No.8 Presto
Rapsodia Aragonesa
Cuentos De La Juventud: Dedicatoria
Cuentos De La Juventud: La Mendiga
Cuentos De La Juventud: Cancion De Mayo
Cuentos De La Juventud: Cuento Viejo
Cuentos De La Juventud: Viniendo De La Fuente
Cuentos De La Juventud: (Untitled)
Cuentos De La Juventud: Recuerdos De La Infancia
Cuentos De La Juventud: El Fantasma
Cuentos De La Juventud: La Huerfana
Cuentos De La Juventud: Marcha
Dos Impromtus: No.1
Dos Impromtus: No.2
Escenas Poeticas I: Berceuse
Escenas Poeticas I: Eva Y Walter
Escenas Poeticas I: Danza De La Rosa

Tracks:

Los Majos Enamorados Part I: Los Requiebros
Los Majos Enamorados Part I: Coloquio En La Reja
Los Majos Enamorados Part I: El Fandango De Candil
Los Majos Enamorados Part I: Quejas, O La Maja Y El Ruisenor
Libro De Horas: En El Jardin
Libro De Horas: El Invierno
Libro De Horas: Al Suplicio
Elisenda
Los Majos Enamorados Part II: El Amor Y La Muerte
Los Majos Enamorados Part II: Epilogo, O Ser Del Espectro

Tracks:

Paisaje
A La Cubana: No.1
A La Cubana: No.2
Danzas Espanolas: Danza Lenta
Danzas Espanolas: Sardana
Marche Militaire
Valse De Conc
El Pelele (Goyesca)
Goyescas: Intermezzo
Capricho Espanol
Carezza: Vals
Bocetos: Despertar Del Cazador
Bocetos: El Hada Y El Nino
Bocetos: Vals Muy Lento
Bocetos: La Campana De La Tarde
Paises Sonados

Tracks:

Escenas Poeticas II: Recuerdo De Paises Lejanos
Escenas Poeticas II: El Angel De Los Claustros
Escenas Poeticas II: Cancion De Margarita
Escenas Poeticas II: Suenos Del Poeta
Allegro De Concierto
Escenas Romanticas: I. Mazurka - Poco Lento Con Abandono
Escenas Romanticas: II. Berceuse - Lento
Escenas Romanticas: III. Lento - Con Extasis
Escenas Romanticas: IV. Allegretto
Escenas Romanticas: V. Allegro Appassionato
Escenas Romanticas: VI. Epilogo - Andantinto Spianato - Con Exaltacion Poetica
Seis Piezas Sobre Cantos Populares Espanolas: Prld?
Seis Piezas Sobre Cantos Populares Espanolas: I. Anoranza
Seis Piezas Sobre Cantos Populares Espanolas: II. Ecos De La Parranda
Seis Piezas Sobre Cantos Populares Espanolas: III. Vascongada
Seis Piezas Sobre Cantos Populares Espanolas: IV. Marcha Oriental
Seis Piezas Sobre Cantos Populares Espanolas: V. Zambra
Seis Piezas Sobre Cantos Populares Espanolas: VI. Zapateado

Tracks:

Barcorola
12 Danzas Espanolas: I. Galante
12 Danzas Espanolas: II. Orientale
12 Danzas Espanolas: III. Fandango
12 Danzas Espanolas: IV. Villanesca
12 Danzas Espanolas: V. Andaluza
12 Danzas Espanolas: VI. Rondalla Aragonesa
12 Danzas Espanolas: VII. Valenciana
12 Danzas Espanolas: VIII. Sardana
12 Danzas Espanolas: IX. Romantica
12 Danzas Espanolas: X. Melancolica
12 Danzas Espanolas: XI. Arabesca
12 Danzas Espanolas: XII. Bolero

Tracks:

Danza Caracteristica
Dos Gavotas: No.1
Dos Gavotas: No.2
Mazurka
Moresque Y Cancion Arabe: Moresque
Moresque Y Cancion Arabe: Cancion Arabe
Oriental, Cancion, Variada, Intermedio Y Final
Seis Estudios Espresivos En Forma De Piezas Faciles: I. Tema
Seis Estudios Espresivos En Forma De Piezas Faciles: I. Var I
Seis Estudios Espresivos En Forma De Piezas Faciles: I. Var II
Seis Estudios Espresivos En Forma De Piezas Faciles: I. Var III
Seis Estudios Espresivos En Forma De Piezas Faciles: I. Var IV
Seis Estudios Espresivos En Forma De Piezas Faciles: I. Final
Seis Estudios Espresivos En Forma De Piezas Faciles: II.
Seis Estudios Espresivos En Forma De Piezas Faciles: III. El Caminate
Seis Estudios Espresivos En Forma De Piezas Faciles: IV. Pastoral
Seis Estudios Espresivos En Forma De Piezas Faciles: V. La Ultima Pavana
Seis Estudios Espresivos En Forma De Piezas Faciles: VI. Maria
Estudio
Reverie (Improvisation)

Customer Reviews:

Granados Complete Piano Works played by Martin Jones.......2003-04-26

This is a fantastic set played beautifully by Martin Jones. All this at a very reasonable price.

Average customer rating:

Fantastic Fournier

Les Introuvables de Pierre Fournier

Manufacturer: EMI
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Pierre Fournier: Aristocrat of the Cello [United Kingdom]
Bach: 6 Suiten für Violoncello solo
Beethoven: Complete Works for Cello & Piano
Shafran: Russian Archives
Lazar Berman Edition (Box Set)

ASIN: B0000241DO
Release Date: 2002-08-05

Tracks:

Cello Concerto No. 2 In D Major, H. 7b Op. 101
Cello Concerto In A Minor, Op. 129
Phantasiestke (3 Fantasy Pieces) For Clarinet (Or Cello Or Violin) & Piano, Op
Variations On A Rococo Theme, For Cello & Orchestra (Or Cello & Piano) In A Majo
Sonata For Cello & Piano No. 1 In F Major, Op. 5/1
Sonata For Cello & Piano No. 2 In G Minor, Op. 5/2
Sonata For Cello & Piano No. 3 In A Major, Op. 69
Sonata For Cello & Piano No. 4 In C Major, Op. 102/1
Sonata For Cello & Piano No. 5 In D Major, Op. 102/2
Sonata For Arpeggione & Piano In A Minor, D.821
Pieces For Children Big And Small For Piano, 4 Hands Op. 85
Feldeinsamkeit ("Ich Ruhe Still Im Hohen Gren Gras"), Song For Voice & Piano,
Romance For Cello & Piano, Op. 69
Shylock, Incidental Music And Suite For Tenor & Orch., Op. 57
Mavra, Opera Buffa In One Act
Nocturne For Violin (Or Flute) & Piano
Melody In F, Various Arrangements, Op. 3/1
Introduction & Polonaise Brilliante For Cello & Piano In C Major, Op. 3
Song Without Words For Cello & Piano In D Major, Op. 109
Le Coq D'or (The Golden Cockerel; Zolotoy Petushok), Concert Suite For Orchestra
The Tale Of Tsar Saltan, Op. 57
Carnival Of The Animals, Zoological Fantasy For 2 Pianos & Ensemble
Berceuse, For Violin & Piano (Or Orchestra) In D Major, Op. 16
Tonadillas Al Estilo Antiguo, Songs (10) For Voice & Piano, H. 136
Goyescas (Serenata Goyesca; Dusk), For Piano, H. 63
La Gitana For Violin & Piano (After An 18th Century Arabo-Spanish Gypsy Song)
Papillon, For Cello & Piano, Op. 77
L' Enfant Prodigue, Sce Lyrique For Voices & Orchestra, L. 57
Pie En Forme De Habanera, For Solo Instrument & Keyboard (Arr.)
Kaddisch, Song For Voice & Piano (Modie Hraue No. 1)
O Mensch, Bewein' Dein' Sde Gross, Chorale Prelude For Organ (Orgel-Bhlein N
Herzlich Tut Mich Verlangen, Chorale Prelude For Organ, Bwv 727 (Bc K109)
Ich Ruf Zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ (I), Chorale Prelude For Organ (Orgel-Bhlein
Nun Komm Der Heiden Heiland (I), Chorale Prelude For Organ (Orgel-Bhlein No. 1
Sonata For Cello & Continuo In C Major, G. 6 (Six Sonatas No. 2)

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic Fournier.......2004-02-16

On this 4CD EMI Import, the great cellist Pierre Fournier performs a variety of orchestral and chamber recordings, recorded primarily in mono from the 1940s and early 50s. There are three orchestral works -- Haydn's 2nd Concerto (Kubelik/Philharmonia, 1951), Schumann's Concerto (Sargent/Philharmonia, 1956 in stereo), and Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations (Bigot/Lamoureux, 1941). Disc two, and half of disc three, contain Beethoven Cello Sonatas with the great Artur Schnabel, while the fourth disc features a variety of pieces, from Bach and Boccherini to Debussy and Ravel, with pianist Gerald Moore. I'm withholding a fifth star because the collection contains mostly historical recordings, though it certainly captures one of history's greatest cellists in his prime. With that being said, "Les Introuvables de Pierre Fournier" is a must buy for cello entusiasts.

Spanish Piano Music, Vol. 1: Granados, Albéniz

Average customer rating:

Spanish Piano Music, Vol. 1: Granados, Albéniz

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Spanish Piano Music: Falla, Turina, Mompou
An Inconvenient Truth

ASIN: B00000IGNE
Release Date: 1999-03-23

Tracks:

Goyescas: Los Majos Enamorados (Part I): I. Los Requiebros
Goyescas: Los Majos Enamorados (Part I): II. Coloquio En La Reja
Goyescas: Los Majos Enamorados (Part I): III. El Fandango De Candil
Goyescas: Los Majos Enamorados (Part I): IV. Quejas, O La Maja Y El Ruisenor
Goyescas: Los Majos Enamorados (Part II): V. El Amor Y La Muerte
Goyescas: Los Majos Enamorados (Part II): VI. Epilogo, O Ser Del Espectro
El Pelele (Goyesca)
Goyescas: Intermezzo
Reverie: (Improvisation)

Tracks:

Valse De Con
Rhap Aragonesa
Oriental, Cancion, Variada, Intermedio Y Final
Escenas Romanticas: I. Mazurka-Poco Lento Con Abandono
Escenas Romanticas: II. Beceuse-Lento
Escenas Romanticas: III. Lento-Con Extasis
Escenas Romanticas: IV. Allegretto
Escenas Romanticas: V. Allegro Appassionato
Escenas Romanticas: VI. Epilogo-Andantino Spianato-Con Exaltacion Poetica
Allegro De Con
Iberia: Book 1: I. Evocation
Iberia: Book 1: II. El Puerto
Iberia: Book 1: III. El Corpus En Sevilla

Tracks:

Iberia: Book 2: I. Rondena
Iberia: Book 2: II. Almeria
Iberia: Book 2: III. Triana
Iberia: Book 3: I. El Albaicin
Iberia: Book 3: II. El Polo
Iberia: Book 3: III. Lavapies
Iberia: Book 4: I. Malaga
Iberia: Book 4: II. Jerez
Iberia: Book 4: III. Eritana
Navarra
6 Hojas De Album, Op.165: Tango

Tracks:

Espana (Souvenirs): I. Prld
Espana (Souvenirs): II. Asturias
The Alhambra, Ste: La Vega
Azulejos (No.1-Prld)
Ste Espanola, Op.47: I. Granada (Ser)
Ste Espanola, Op.47: II. Cataluna (Corranda)
Ste Espanola, Op.47: III. Sevilla (Sevillanas)
Ste Espanola, Op.47: IV. Cadiz (Cancion)
Ste Espanola, Op.47: V. Asturias (Leyenda)
Ste Espanola, Op.47: VI. Aragon (Fant)
Ste Espanola, Op.47: VII. Castilla (Seguidillas)
Ste Espanola, Op.47: VIII. Cuba (Caprichio)

Average customer rating:

Douglas Riva Plays Granados
Granados gets his due

Granados: Goyescas (Suite for Piano)

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Granados: Piano Music, Vol. 5
Granados: 12 Danzas españolas
Granados: Piano Music, Vol. 3
Granados: Piano Music Vol. 4
Granados: Album of Melodies; Cardboard Soldiers; The Mermaid

ASIN: B000031WH4
Release Date: 1999-11-30

Tracks:

Flattery
Dialogue At The Window
Candlelit Fandango
Laments Or The Maja And The Nightingale
Love And Death
Epilogue: The Ghost's Serenade
The Straw Man
Ser In The Style Of Goya

Customer Reviews:

Douglas Riva Plays Granados.......2005-11-08

I have spent several days listening to the piano music of Enrique Granados ( 1867 -- 1916) courtesy of a friend who lent me the Spanish Dances and "Goyescas" , both on Naxos. I have seldom had a more enjoyable time, simply relaxing and learning music that is not my usual fare.

Douglas Riva is an American pianist and a scholar of Spanish music. He studied with with Alicia de Larrocha and worked with her in producing a complete edition of Granados' works. Ms. de Larrocha is a master of this music, and her CDs are available on more expensive record labels. But Mr. Riva plays beautifully, with virtuosic technique, and with sensitivity to this highly-charged romantic score. He also wrote brief but informative program notes for this CD. Mr. Riva's rendition of "Goyescas" will serve as a wonderful introduction to Granados. It will appeal to the budget-minded listener who wants to reach out. Mr. Riva has gone on to record Granados' complete piano works on eight Naxos CDs. He makes a compelling case for this composer.

Granados composed his Spanish Dances as a young man of 22 while the "Goyescas" is a 20th Century work, completed in 1914. Granados transformed his piano music into an opera, which received its premiere in New York City. When the composer was sailing home, the ship was struck by a torpedo and both he and his wife died.

"Goyescas" is a suite in seven movements, each of which is a musical depiction of Spain as seen through the paintings of Francisco Goya (1746 --1828). The piano writing is varied and virtuosic, and the music shimmers with Spain and Madrid. I was struck by much of the writing in the high register of the piano, with sharp chords and arpeggios and a great deal of filigree. The melodic line is frequently carried in the lower middle, treble section of the keyboard in a singing voice which reminds me of a tenor or of a cello. The music frequently is distinctively rhythmical and heavily accented, but there are many lyrical and reflective passages as well. Granados gives a romantic, appealing account of Spain and its people. In several movements, Granados makes use of Spanish folk-songs.

The first movement of the work, "flattery" opens with the plangent, shimmering passages in the right hand and the left hand singing melody that I find characteristic of the work. The second movement is a dialogue between two lovers at a window that builds to an intense, passionate climax. The third movement is a highly accented dance, a Fandango, with big, splashing high chords and a swirling theme. The fourth movement, "The Maja and the Nightingale" is based upon a folksong and features long lacy and frilly trills, the nightingale singing, at the end of the movement. The fifth movement, "Love and Death" is, perhaps, the heart of "Goyescas". It opens with an ominous theme low in the piano and is followed by music in a variety of moods and forms. It moves from reverie, to tragic passion, only to end quietly. The sixth movement is "The Ghost's Serenade", beginning in a stacatto voice but working to a singing theme in the tenor under lots of decoration in the high register of the piano. The finale "The Straw Man" is a joyful piece and a highly accented dance. The CD closes with a work that remained unpublished during Granados' lifetime and which was apparently a sketch for the music that became "Goyescas".

This was a CD that came to me by chance and was not on my mental list of music I needed to hear. But it proved to be what I neeeded at the time. "Goyescas" is an essential work of romantic, twentieth-century piano music.

Robin Friedman

Granados gets his due.......2003-02-22

There are marvelous recordings of this music; those of Alicia de Larrocha, Martin Jones, Artur Rubinstein come to mind. So why did Douglas Riva feel the need to record it again? Because he has something fresh to say about this lovable music, that's why. He is an American pianist/musicologist living in Spain, co-editor, with de Larrocha, of a new edition of Granados's piano music and he is continuing the work to bring out a new edition of ALL of Granados's music. He's a heckuva pianist, too. His take on the music is somewhat more analytical than some and that's to the music's benefit because it shows there is more meat on its bones; it's not all flash and languor.

Tracks:

I. Allegro: The Four Seasons - Concerto In E Major 'Spring'
III. Presto: The Four Seasons - Concerto In G Minor 'Summer'
III. Andante - BWV 1034: Sonata In E Minor For Flute & Harpsichord
IV. Allegro - BWV 1034: Sonata In E Minor For Flute & Harpsichord
K.380: Sonata In E Major
Ave Verum Corpus
Piano Trio In A Minor - IV. Final (Anim
I. Los requiebros: Goyescas - 'Los majos enamorados'
I. Allegro non troppo: Piano Trio No.1 In C Minor
III. Allegro agitato: Piano Concerto In F
Histoire du soldat - The Royal March
Behold I Build A House!

Customer Reviews:

AWESOME.......2000-06-11

Being fairly new to the world of classical music, I wanted a starter album as an introduction. Naturally this album was that and so much more. If you are like me or a conniseur of classical music, this is a must have!