Rossini in a rush

Press, 13 December 1982, Page 22

Rossini in a rush

Classicalreconfe review

ALLAN FRANCIS

ROSSINI OVERTURES. Riccardo Muti conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra playing six overtures. EMI OASD 3903. Those with longish memories will recall with mixed feelings the almost manic speeds of Toscanini near the end of his career, almost as though he was trying to get in as much music as possible before the end. Muti follows this dangerous precedent and “Silken Ladder" is a breathtaking performance with those staccato woodwinds and racing strings. However, Muti succeeds with these Rossini pieces where other composers would have sounded ridiculous at such breakneck speeds. This time, it suits both conductor and composer and the results are some exciting performances. Having zipped through "Barber of Seville," "Semiramide," "Journey to Rheims," “Siege of Corinth” and "Silken Ladder," the listener awaits with awe at the possibilities of' "William Tell." It doesn't take long. Muti takes a broad, expansive view of the opening, just before the trombones roar into action and once more we are whisked off on that high-speed journey. No-one will sleep through this one. KIRI TE KANAWA. A Royal Occasion with the National Youth Choir of New Zealand in the presence of the Prince of Wales. KIWI PACIFIC TRL-025. During the Youth Choir's visit to the United Kingdom this year this recording was conceived, and recorded at the Wembley Conference Centre, on August 12. It also highlights some excellent moments for soloist and choir. . It was an unequalled opportunity to get both parties on record. With some 25 formal concerts tucked under their belts it is essential to have at least a memento of the choir's good work. Too often these occasions fade into oblivion after the event, so whoever negotiated this one deserves warm congratulations. The programme varies from art songs, "Now Sleeps the .Crimson Petal” and “Standchen,” to secular songs, . "Crucifixus,” Mendelssohn's “Hymne”.td a few Maori songs. All of this is sandwiched between the National Anthem" and the New Zealand Anthem, plus a little Victoriana: Kiri is in superb form, making much of the hackneyed “Pokarekare Ana" and her Schubert is exquisite, if deeper-toned than I recall. VIVALDI. Four Guitar Concertos played by Ernesto Bitetti. guitar, with the Zagreb Soloists. VOX L 37843.

These are the Opus. 3 Concertos — at least on side one, but the two on the reverse side in the major key are a little more difficult to pinpoint. It was recorded in Madrid, and the sleeve-writer has made no concessions to Eng-lish-speaking buyers. Nonetheless. this is a fine, very forward recording of some excellent pieces, played with verve, and the soloist is excellent. It is all go from start to finish. This is how I imagine the composer would wish his works played — full of bubbling vitality and arresting rhythms, and' goodness knows there is enough competiton to make one very choosy about which one to buy. ANTHONY JENNINGS. Anthony Jennings, harpsicord, plays Bach, Bohm, Couperin and Jacques Dulphly. KIWI PACIFIC TRL-022. These are strong, very forward performances from a soloist who obviously believes that the best method of defence of this ancient instrument is attack. All the extraneous noises are there too, all the clicks and bumps that are associated with a harpsicord that is copied from a 1769 Pascal Taskin instrument. A few traffic noises add to the general accompaniment because of the venue. St Mary's Church in Parnell. Couperin’s Suite in C was particularly attractive, but it lacked a little of the gripping quality of Bach's Toccata in G BWV 916. GOLDMARK. Rustic Wedding Symphony played by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra conducted bv John Lanchbury. EMI OASD 7595. Poor old Carl Goldmark never has had much luck with his Rustic Wedding Symphony, nor indeed many of his other pieces, charming though they certainly are. This symphony vanished from the catalogue after Bernstein's 1969 version and apart from a 1973 Vox recording only Previn had bothered to unearth its simple pleasures. This Australian version is marginally inferior to Previn’s but it has much to commend it. Lanchbury captures the colour of the work .and while many dispute the ■ fact that it is a'symphony at . all it was Brahms who supported Goldmark quite categorically and I'm sure it was not . purely a matter of friendship ’ which prompted his assertion. ,