On Tuesday, August 21, 2001 at 8:02:44 PM UTC-7,
LaVirtuosa@aol.com wrote:
Jean and Robert Casadesus
EMI Classics 7243 5 69467 2 9
Contains Jean Casadesus in Ravel's 2 Concertos, Bach, Rameau, F. Couperin, Poulenc, Francaix, Tailleferre, R. Casadesus (3 pieces).
Robert Casadesus playing 11 Scarlatti Sonatas.
Jean Casadesus (his son):
Jean toned down much the shock value and drama of Ravel's Concerto for the left
hand, as compared with Robert's version which is in the "Complete Piano Music"
of Ravel 2-disc set with Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orch. (Sony Masterworks Heritage MH2K 63316) The orchestra here is Orchestre de la societe des Concerts
du Conservatoire, Pierre Dervaux cond.
The Bach d minorConcerto bwv 1052 is gutsy and romantic.
The ornaments in his Rameau lacked snap; he also placed huge crescendos and decrescendos in there which are frightening and out of place
Francois Couperin lacked sensitivity, clarity and understatement; too loud Poulenc's whimsical Improvisation #5 sounds relaxed and is done with plenty of
pedal; however, this piece begs for a more intimate treatment and a limit on the magnitude of the crescendos.
The Francaix set are two very cheerful pieces and very modern and interesting,
suiting him well. The first one, "La Tendre" is with a lot of pedal and gentle; the second one, "La Moderne" is percussive and whimisical.
The first Tailleferre tidbit, "Valse lente", is is relaxed and mellow; the second one, "Larghetto", is introspective; both are done with empathy.
The pieces written by Robert Casadesus, played here by Jean, are highly contrasting and intense. The first one, "Sardane, is bold and percussive, played brutally here; the second one, "Resonances", is a smooth, haunting, slightly depressing, atmospheric, painful piece handled well ; the third, Toccata, Op. 40 is a vigorous staccato piece and a tour de force for Jean. Next follow 11 Scarlatti Sonatas by Robert Casadesus. These come through as full-bodied, lively and assertive; the similarity between the father and son ends there. Robert eschewed pedal and permitted no romantic excesses here, remaining within the style of the era.
This 2-disc set is especially interesting as a study comparing how each of them
handled harpsichord repertoire; one can detect a similarity in the sound quality produced by their hands, which was quite solid; yet it is clear that their musical interests and interpretations were very much at odds. *****************************Val
(Y. upload):
"Songs of Debussy; Anna Moffo & Jean Casadesus"
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