Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez; Walton: 5 Bagatelles; Christopher Parkening

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Lovers of the Concierto de Aranjuez breathed a sigh of relief when Christopher Parkening made this recording of it--his first--in 1992. The American guitarist delivers an interpretation rich in feeling and nuance; his playing, remarkable for its elegance, for the astonishing evenness of the fingerwork, and above all for beauty and variety of tone, freshly illuminates a justly familiar work. Parkening brings the flamenco elements of the conception to the fore and ornaments the concerto's slow movement in an especially appealing manner. He is backed by a wonderfully alert reading of the score from Litton and the RPO. The sound is excellent. --Ted Libbey

Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez; Walton: 5 Bagatelles; Christopher Parkening, Music, Joaquin Rodrigo, Sir William Walton, Andrew Litton, Christopher Parkening, Chamber, Classical, Classical Artists, Classical Music, Concerto, Guitar Concerto, Guitar Solo, Instrumental Gospel
Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez; Walton: 5 Bagatelles; Christopher Parkening
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Great CD
  • Wonderful Walton, pretty good Rodrigo
  • Love this album!
  • Parkening's interpretation is lacking.
 Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez; Walton: 5 Bagatelles; Christopher Parkening
Joaquin Rodrigo , Sir William Walton , Andrew Litton , and Christopher Parkening
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by WaltonAll Works by Walton | Walton, Sir William | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
GuitarGuitar | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
Parkening, ChristopherParkening, Christopher | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
GospelGospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Solo InstrumentalSolo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. In the Spanish Style / Christopher Parkening
  2. Christopher Parkening · Elmer Bernstein ~ Concerto for Guitar - E. Bernstein · Albeniz · Marshall
  3. Christopher Parkening Plays Vivaldi Guitar Concertos & Warlock Capriol Suite
  4. Christopher Parkening - A Bach Celebration
  5. Christopher Parkening plays Bach

ASIN: B000002RT5
Release Date: 1993-01-19

Tracks:

  1. Concierto de Aranjuez: l. Allegro con spirito
  2. Concierto de Aranjuez: ll. Adagio
  3. Concierto de Aranjuez: lll. Allegro gentile
  4. Fantasia para un gentilhombre: l. Villano y Ricercare (Adagietto - Andante moderato)
  5. Fantasia para un gentilhombre: ll. Espata y Fanfare de la Caballerde Nles (Adagio - Allegretto molto ritmico)
  6. Fantasia para un gentilhombre: lll. Danza de las hachas (Allegro con brio)
  7. Fantasia para un gentilhombre: lV. Canario (Allegro ma non troppo)
  8. Five Bagatelles For Guitar And Orchestra: l. Allegro assai
  9. Five Bagatelles For Guitar And Orchestra: ll. Lento sognando
  10. Five Bagatelles For Guitar And Orchestra: lll. Alla cubana
  11. Five Bagatelles For Guitar And Orchestra: lV. Lento
  12. Five Bagatelles For Guitar And Orchestra: V. Presto con slancio

Amazon.com

Lovers of the Concierto de Aranjuez breathed a sigh of relief when Christopher Parkening made this recording of it--his first--in 1992. The American guitarist delivers an interpretation rich in feeling and nuance; his playing, remarkable for its elegance, for the astonishing evenness of the fingerwork, and above all for beauty and variety of tone, freshly illuminates a justly familiar work. Parkening brings the flamenco elements of the conception to the fore and ornaments the concerto's slow movement in an especially appealing manner. He is backed by a wonderfully alert reading of the score from Litton and the RPO. The sound is excellent. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great CD.......2003-10-26

I just want to let everyone know that this is a great CD and belongs in everyones collection.

What someone said earlier about the RPO recording it and then Parkening adding his part later is simply not true. I do not appreciate that ignorant statement because I love this CD so much and listen to the entire thing nearly every day!

4 out of 5 stars Wonderful Walton, pretty good Rodrigo.......2002-01-30

Regarding the Walton Five Bagatelles, as arranged by Patrick Russ for guitar and orchestra: Anyone who knows and appreciates the originals for solo guitar, or Walton's orchestration titled "Varii Capricci", will probably find this new edition (appearing here in its premiere recording) a remarkably faithful fusion of two of Walton's great late works. Russ's dedication to Walton is clear, and his creation is most exciting. Parkening's playing on the Walton is faultless.

Regarding the Rodrigo: Parkening here is in very fine form, though I admit a preference to John Williams's enthusiastic verve in this particular piece. (This from an expert on Walton, not Rodrigo.) Rodrigo is quoted on the cover as saying "magnificent interpretation of my compositions," which can be taken or left as you wish. Regardless, if you are interested in this recording also for the Walton, then the Rodrigo should not be a drawback.

5 out of 5 stars Love this album!.......2000-09-28

Christopher Parkening's playing was technically perfect and full of emotion on this album.

2 out of 5 stars Parkening's interpretation is lacking........2000-01-15

Parkening's version of the Aranjuez is severely lacking in musicallity and emotional interpretation. This may be due to how the CD was recorded, in that, the RPO recorded its part and then Parkening dubbed in his part at a later time. This is highly dubious and definitely works as a disadvantage for the overall interpretation of the work. Parkening's performance may be technically acceptable, but for those who want a performance of the Aranjuez that is not only technically dazzling, but is also emotionally rich and musically fullfilling, buy Pepe Romero's recording with the Academy-of-St. Martin's-in the Field under Sir Neville Marriner released in 1994. Not only is it the definitive recording, but it was one of the composer's favorite recordings of his concerto.

Music Review:

  1. Rossini - Semiramide / Studer, Larmore, Ramey, Arévalo, Marin
  2. Sanctuary
  3. Schumann: The Works for Solo Piano [Box set]
  4. Scriabin: Poeme De L'extase / Piano Concerto / Promethee
  5. Sonos Handbell Ensemble
  6. Strauss: Don Quixote; Schumann: Cello Concerto / Rostropovich, Karajan, et al
  7. The Hidden Light
  8. The Ultimate Aria Collection ~ A Passion for Opera [Box set]
  9. The World of Ruth Crawford Seeger
  10. Theodorakis/Zorba the Ballet/3 Pieces from Carnaval, Etc.

Music Review

music review

Music Review

Easy [Import]

The Orchestral Music of Meyer Kupferman, Vol.9

The Best of the Complete Mozart Edition (Box Set) [Box set]

Music Starts Right Here

Total Dance Floor V.2 By Rlp [Limited Edition] [Import]

The Way Back Home

Tout Un Party [Import]

Town & Country [Import]

The Psychedelic World of Eric Burdon [Import]

Terry Riley: In C

Uoniverse

Tan Cerca

Solo lo Mejor de Roy Orbison [Import]

Lou Harrison: Suite for Violin

Bound for the Promised Land: The Best of Andy Griffith Hymns