Mozart: German Dances, K. 586, 600, 602 and 605. Cappella Istropolitana conducted by Johannes Wildner – Naxos 8.550412 (58 minutes).
Practically all of Mozart’s output enjoys huge popularity, but his organ works and short orchestral pieces tend to be less performed. This is a great pity, because they contain music of great melodic invention brimming with joyous overtones.
The 12 delightful German Dances, K. 586 were written in Vienna in December 1789. Although the instrumentation varies, the whole set calls for pairs of flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, trumpets and timpani, flauto piccolo and strings without violas. In the Trio of the fifth, Mozart even adds a tambourine.
The form may seem to limit invention, but the composer succeeds in providing textural variety of the most subtle order. The set ends with a coda. The six dances listed as K. 600 are generally supposed to form part of a cycle of 13 German dances which include both K. 602 and K. 605. These groups, variously listed by Ludwig Köchel (the man responsible for the completed chronological catalogue of Mozart’s works), bear the dates of January 29 and February 12, 1791, a time when Mozart had completed his last piano concerto but also the year of his death at the age of 35. The scoring is similar to K. 586, but in the Trio of the ninth Mozart introduces a lyre, and in the Trio of the last dance, nicknamed “The Sleigh-ride”, two post-horns and tuned sleigh-bells are thrown in for good measure.
Although short on playing-time, this disc is great fun from start to finish. Wildner and his forces perform with gusto, and both the carefree atmosphere of the countryside and courtly elegance are captured with effortless and lighthearted ease.
Perry: The Innocents Abroad and other Mark Twain films. The Slovak and Rome Philharmonic Orchestras and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, The Slovak Philharmonic Choir and the Vienna Boys Choir conducted by the Composer – Naxos 8.570200 (70 minutes).
Born in Elmira, New York, in 1930, William Perry is one of the great film composers of the last century. Unfortunately, his achievements have been overshadowed by those of such legends as Erich Korngold, Alfred Newman, Max Steiner and Miklos Rozsa. Nonetheless, Perry’s contribution to the film industry is immense and with over 100 film scores to his name, his music deserves to be more appreciated.
One of the principal landmarks in Perry’s career is his connection to the Mark Twain films, so this disc is an ideal place to start getting acquainted with the composer’s ability to capture characters and situations with uncanny facility. The six films in this recording present a series of exciting challenges in the variety and range of their musical demands.
Set in medieval Austria, The Mysterious Stranger highlights elements of mysticism and worldly dreams. The Innocents Abroad is a 19th century trip across California, Paris, Genoa, Venice, Pisa, Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Athens, Cairo and Crimea.
A murder drama with backdrops of slavery and misidentification is the subject of ‘Pudd’ Nhead Wilson, while Life on the Mississippi evokes the nostalgic era of riverboat traffic on the mighty river. A powerful anti-war message drawn from the Civil and Spanish-American Wars is the central theme of The Private History of a Campaign that Failed. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a homage to America’s most famous literary work.
For all of these, Perry has created some of his finest music which is completely appropriate to the variety of subjects. Wit, grandeur and a broad melodic sweep are constant features, and the use of a wordless chorus and unusual orchestrations give a special colour to the writing.
Perry coaxes his many forces with vigorous expressiveness and performances are consistently alive with great washes of exciting sounds.
A splendid issue all admirers of film music will want to have.
Famous Operatic Duets: several soloists, orchestras andconductors – Naxos 8.555797 (78 minutes).
This recording brings together 14 of the most famous operatic duets in the French and Italian repertoire.
The selection also features some of the greatest composers of the genre, including Verdi, Bizet, Puccini, Donizetti, Rossini and Delibes.
With duets from Manon Lescaut, La Boheme, Tosca and Madama Butterfly, Puccini’s genius is highlighted most emphatically, but Verdi is also well represented with excerpts from La Traviata, DonCarlos, La Forza del Destino and Otello. Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia and Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore complete the Italianline-up.
French opera is only present through Bizet’s Les Pecheurs des Perles and Delibes’ Lakmé, a pity indeed, as this gives the programme a slight imbalance.
However, this is a most enjoyable compilation full of inspiring excerpts that are the bread and butter of every opera lover.
Sound and interpretations are generally satisfying, but the booklet’s main assets are only the original texts with an English translation.
Information on the actual works is scant. However, this is an overall entertaining issue with an attractive price tag to go with it.
These CDs were made available for review by D’Amato Record Shop of 98/99, St John Street, Valletta.