TELEMANN: Sonata TWV 41:d4 in D minor for Recorder & b.c. 1) Affetuoso 2) Presto 3) Grave 4) Allegro: BACH : Partita in Am BWV 1013: 1) Allemande 2) Corrente 3) Sarabande 4) Bouree Anglaise: KOPPEL: Nele’s Dances:- 1) I Know You Are Crossing The Borders Somewhere 2) And I Know You Are Remembering, Distant Boy 3)And I’m Still Feeling You In My Arms 4) In Front of the Castle With No Doors 5)Where The Living Dead Are Dancing 6)There I Dance My Dance On Black Feet 7)And Later On In The Place That No One Knows 8)I Give Birth To The Warm Fruit Of Our Love 9)And The Wild Foals Leave The Folds 10)In A Symphony of Galloping Hooves: KRAHMER : Introduction & Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 32 : VIVALDI : Sonata for Recorder and Basso Continuo in A major, RV59 : IBERT : Entr'acte for flute (or violin) & guitar (or harp): KUPKOVIC : Souvenir: JACOB: An Encore for Michala.
Lars Hannibal (Guitar) and Michala Petri (Recorder)
RCA: 09026625302
This album begins with a Baroque piece of Telemann, namely the Sonata in Dm set in 4 movements. The slow and very beautifully recorded Affetuoso, is followed by a truly fast Presto wonderfully played by both players, but particularly Michala Petri whose recorder playing is truly magnificent. The Grave that follows is very slow and emotive, and is a fine example of some fine writing. The final Allegro bobs around up and down from phrase to phrase and provides a first rate opening piece for this album.
The next work is by the master JS Bach and is again in 4 contrasting movements, and moreover is a solo recorder work from Michala Petri in Bach’s very best style, full of apparent different part – writing as if played by more than one instrument. It is very imaginative and every bit as good as Bach’s solo violin and cello suites and sonatas and closes with a dancing Bouree Anglaise that really does show the performer for the wonderful player she is.
Then we change to something totally different namely the 10 movement suite Nele’s Dances from Thomas Koppel who died in the early 21st century. Written for an extended guitar with several extra bass strings, the sound is gripping especially when the opening track of this suite begins with those extra low strings being hit and strummed in a most ear – catching way before Michala enters with her opening melody. This suite is beautifully written in a melodic way but with modern touches that really work, and make this large suite a beautiful listen. However again the playing needed by both players to fully grasp this piece is quite outstanding and also please note that not every movement is for both instruments, and at nearly 19 minutes in length is a great addition to the recorder/guitar repertoire if anyone has such a duo and is looking for some music that is very different but utterly gripping from start to finish.
Ernest Krahmer (1795 – 1837) is the next composer here, and his Introduction & Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 32 is very pleasant , and everything you might expect from an early 19th century composer, and again at 10 + minutes is quite a substantial work, should any players be interested. The Sonata for Recorder and Basso Continuo in A major, RV59 by Antonio Vivaldi sends us back to the Baroque period which does again use an extended bass string guitar and is again in four contrasting movements full of some wonderful playing.
Ibert’s Entracte is quite a well – known piece that many of you might know. In case you don’t it is very Spanish in style, with some great playing and first rate writing.
Ladislav Kupkovic’s Souvenir is another crowd – pleaser, with some effortless playing form both parties, and a number of special effects on the recorder that do attract your attention somewhat!
The final track is An Encore for Michala written by 20th Century composer Gordon Jacob (`1895 – 1984) and , as you might expect, is a lovely tune but also has a vocal line in the background one assumes sung by Lars Hannibal, whilst playing his guitar too.
Great playing, beautifully and clearly recorded, and with very contrasting pieces on this album, this is a definite superb purchase for anyone who likes the sound of the recorder and guitar.
Chris Dumigan
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