Graupner - Lass Mein Herz - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Given the 'romantic' nature of these two sonatas, Saint-Saëns could have been forgiven for producing two-piano versions that treated the originals as bases for his own imaginings. In fact, as far as a fourth party can judge, he has been scrupulous in respecting the composers' intentions. Wherever either piano is playing on it's own, it plays the original text. Beyond that, of course, are the host of more complex textures where Saint-Saëns has felt free to add notes for extra emphasis. Perhaps the most satisfying admixture of color comes in the Chopin Funeral March, where extra low octaves in the bass boom like the beating of a bass drum. But throughout, the relative, new-found simplicity of each piano part allows performers to phrase more subtly. No doubt Liszt had these points in mind when he considered making such a transcription of his sonata, alas never realized. But he greatly admired Saint-Saëns as both composer and pianist, and one cannot but imagine he would have approved his fine arrangement. (Roger Nichols)

Sugar Candy Mountain - Do Right [COMPACT DISCS] date 05/04/2018

Christoph Graupner, active for over 50 years at the Hessian court in Darmstadt, is a kind of insiders' tip whose rich musical production is hardly accessible.The reason his works remain largely unknown is that the original scores were kept strictly under lock and key for decades.The present CD introduces first recordings of three of his unusually colorful bass solo cantatas as well as an original Suite for Chalumeau.The melodic language of these cantatas frequently proceeds in tortuous paths; the content of the text repeatedly depicted with harmonic surprises and sharp dissonances.