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Glass, Rutter, Francaix: Harpsichord Concertos / Christopher Lewis
Naxos

Glass, Rutter, Francaix: Harpsichord Concertos / Christopher Lewis

$19.99 Only 1 left

Details

Composer
FRANCAIX RUTTER GLASS
Artist
Lewis, Mcmurtery, West Side Co, Mallon
Format
CD
Label
Naxos
Released
Sep 24, 2013
Catalog #
8573146
UPC
747313314676

About


What a great disc this is: three delightful contemporary works for harpsichord and orchestra, easy on the ear, but clever and consistently interesting. John Rutter’s Suite Antique might be English Poulenc. The tunes are captivating, and the “antique” element needs to be taken with a large grain of salt (the “waltz” is subtitled “A Jazz Waltz”). The writing for flute and strings is immaculate, graceful, and sounds like great fun to play, while the keyboard solo takes excellent advantage of the instrument’s sparkling timbres and ability to delineate rhythmic patterns with gentle persistence. The performance is also terrific, as fine as the composer’s own, with John McMurtery an excellent flute soloist with a firm, round tone.

Glass’ Harpsichord Concerto also has plenty of arresting harmonies and a wide range of textures. The outer movements chug along with unquenchable vitality, and even touches of humor in the finale, while the central slowish movement makes imaginative play with a variety of melodic shapes. It’s extremely visual: you can almost see the music as it unfolds. Glass takes full advantage of the harpsichord’s natural ability to act both as soloist and accompaniment, with the result that the music’s shifting layers consistently entertain through, and not despite, the usual abundance of repetition.

As for the Françaix, the Concerto begins with two contrasting toccatas, followed by a songful andantino, minuet, and finale. It’s a zesty romp that brings the disc to a wholly winning close. Christopher D. Lewis plays a bright, sweet-toned harpsichord with minimal mechanical clatter. His digital dexterity proves very satisfying, and he’s excellently balanced against the extremely capable West Side Chamber Orchestra under Kevin Mallon. This is one of those discs that you might overlook, but you’d be missing a real treat. I’ve already played it several times just for pleasure, and so will you.

-- David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

Tracklist 15 tracks

  1. 1 I. Prelude 04:16
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Prelude
    Duration
    04:16
    Composer
    John Rutter
    Performer
    Christopher D. Lewis, John McMurtery
    Ensemble
    West Side Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kevin Mallon
  2. 2 II. Ostinato 01:42
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Ostinato
    Duration
    01:42
    Composer
    John Rutter
    Performer
    Christopher D. Lewis, John McMurtery
    Ensemble
    West Side Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kevin Mallon
  3. 3 III. Aria 03:33
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Aria
    Duration
    03:33
    Composer
    John Rutter
    Performer
    Christopher D. Lewis, John McMurtery
    Ensemble
    West Side Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kevin Mallon
  4. 4 IV. Waltz 03:37
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Waltz
    Duration
    03:37
    Composer
    John Rutter
    Performer
    Christopher D. Lewis, John McMurtery
    Ensemble
    West Side Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kevin Mallon
  5. 5 V. Chanson 04:06
    Track
    5
    Title
    V. Chanson
    Duration
    04:06
    Composer
    John Rutter
    Performer
    Christopher D. Lewis, John McMurtery
    Ensemble
    West Side Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kevin Mallon
  6. 6 VI. Rondeau 02:54
    Track
    6
    Title
    VI. Rondeau
    Duration
    02:54
    Composer
    John Rutter
    Performer
    Christopher D. Lewis, John McMurtery
    Ensemble
    West Side Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kevin Mallon
  7. 7 I. — 08:26
    Track
    7
    Title
    I. —
    Duration
    08:26
    Composer
    Philip Glass
    Performer
    Christopher D. Lewis
    Ensemble
    West Side Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kevin Mallon
  8. 8 II. — 10:51
    Track
    8
    Title
    II. —
    Duration
    10:51
    Composer
    Philip Glass
    Performer
    Christopher D. Lewis
    Ensemble
    West Side Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kevin Mallon
  9. 9 III. — 04:51
    Track
    9
    Title
    III. —
    Duration
    04:51
    Composer
    Philip Glass
    Performer
    Christopher D. Lewis
    Ensemble
    West Side Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kevin Mallon
  10. 10 I. Toccata I 02:39
    Track
    10
    Title
    I. Toccata I
    Duration
    02:39
    Composer
    Jean Françaix
    Performer
    Christopher D. Lewis
    Ensemble
    West Side Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kevin Mallon
  11. 11 II. Toccata II 02:44
    Track
    11
    Title
    II. Toccata II
    Duration
    02:44
    Composer
    Jean Françaix
    Performer
    Christopher D. Lewis
    Ensemble
    West Side Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kevin Mallon
  12. 12 III. Andantino 04:13
    Track
    12
    Title
    III. Andantino
    Duration
    04:13
    Composer
    Jean Françaix
    Performer
    Christopher D. Lewis
    Ensemble
    West Side Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kevin Mallon
  13. 13 IV. Menuet 05:42
    Track
    13
    Title
    IV. Menuet
    Duration
    05:42
    Composer
    Jean Françaix
    Performer
    Christopher D. Lewis
    Ensemble
    West Side Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kevin Mallon
  14. 14 V. Finale 04:17
    Track
    14
    Title
    V. Finale
    Duration
    04:17
    Composer
    Jean Françaix
    Performer
    Christopher D. Lewis
    Ensemble
    West Side Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kevin Mallon
  15. 15 So Tango 03:20
    Track
    15
    Title
    So Tango
    Duration
    03:20
    Composer
    Maurice Ohana
    Performer
    Christopher D. Lewis