Gliere: Concerto for Harp and Orchestra/Concerto For Coloratura Soprano And Orchestra/Ginastera: Concerto For Harp

Excellent harp playing, orchestra falls short

Listening to the Gliere Harp Concerto you would probably be shocked to learn that it was written as late as 1938. The orchestral scoring and musical development comes straight from the Russian romantic school of Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov. Melodies and harmonies are straight-forward. The harp greets you right at the outset, making the first musical statement with rolling chords topped by sweeping scales. It is very moving: Rachel Masters very very craftily helps the harp stand out from the orchestral texture, making you hear what is important. Having now said wonderful things about the music and the harp player, I must report that the orchestra falls a bit short. Textures are thin, failing to match the sweeping and rich nature of the music, and intonation is always questionable (there is a dreadful chord in the slow movement). There is a recording of this work by one of London's better orchestras (the LSO) on London records, and I would hope that recording is superior to this one.

The Gliere piece for soprano receives more justice than the harm concerto. Eileen Huse, sustains her lines very well, leaping large intervals effortlessly. Her voice is neither overpowering nor throaty; it glides and blends with the orchestra wonderfully, especially with the woodwinds, every phrase has a beautiful arch. Her entrances on high notes are beautful, so soft sometimes that you don't hear the entrance. WOW, can she sustain the high notes in a beautiful line! She also has great command over articulation. Really incredible, and this is the best performance on the CD. (The last note is the F above the treble staff!!)

The Ginastera Concerto is another masterpiece, and again I wish the orchestra could muster more power and crisper articulation. Ginastera's music is tantalizing, making use of Latin American rhythms and a wide range of percussion instruments. Again, the solo harp part is beautifully written and beautifully played. There is excellent balance between the orchestra and the harp--the harp's presence is always felt and never overpowered. Some of the more mysterious sections are very effective, strings and woodwinds at the opening of the second movement are exquisite.
But in the tutti orchestral sections, it would be nice to hear fuller, sharper, and more driven playing from the orchestra.

A very nice album with great music and great soloists. You will enjoy it. August 15, 2002

Must Buy!

I first heard this recording on a local FM station, and had to buy the CD. It's a beautiful work, and an excellent performance. April 11, 2001

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