Notes and Editorial Reviews
Ernesto Halffter spent the better part of his life completing his teacher Manuel de Falla's Atlantida, and this ongoing effort completely eclipsed his own creative work and seriously diminished its quantity. All of this is a pity, because Halffter was a major composer, as two second's listening to the delicious Sinfonietta clearly demonstrates. This outstanding neo-classical work combines the features of a symphony with those of a concerto grosso, offering lively solos for the principal strings, winds, and even two differently pitched snare drums. The music will flood your listening room with Spanish sunshine and good humor, except in the remarkable slow movement, whose religious inspiration builds at its conclusion to a rapture bordering
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on ecstasy. Adrian Leaper and his Spanish band deliver a fine performance, though another recent release featuring the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra under Muhai Tang (on CPO) is just as fine, and perhaps marginally livelier. That recording also includes the brief, impressionistic diptych called Two Symphonic Sketches, but if you want the marvelous Habanera or the other two pieces on this disc (minor works but, like all Halffter's music, superbly crafted), then this is the only show in town. A fine disc.
--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Sinfonietta in D major by Ernesto Halffter
Performer:
Julio Hernández (Double Bass),
Zdzislaw Tytlak (Cello),
Mikhail Vostokov (Violin)
Conductor:
Adrian Leaper
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Grand Canary Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1925; Spain
2.
Dos bocetos sinfonicos "Esquisses Symphoniques" by Ernesto Halffter
Conductor:
Adrian Leaper
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Grand Canary Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1925; Spain
3.
Amanecer en los jardines de España by Ernesto Halffter
Performer:
Mikhail Vostokov (Violin)
Conductor:
Adrian Leaper
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Grand Canary Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1937; Spain
4.
Habañera for Orchestra by Ernesto Halffter
Conductor:
Adrian Leaper
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Grand Canary Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1931; Spain
5.
Cavatina by Ernesto Halffter
Conductor:
Adrian Leaper
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Grand Canary Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1993; Spain
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