Search - Kenneth Fuchs, Timothy Broege, Michael Daugherty :: Christina's World for Wind Band & Percussion, Vol 2

INTERESTING ARRANGEMENTS

belinda edwards | melbourne, victoria Australia | 10/07/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This Cd has some very enjoyable listening and includes some colourful wind performances. "Christina's World' by Kenneth Fuchs is a wonderful piece and uses the colours of the wind ensemble very well. I especially liked the use of the Tuba.
But the real reason I bought this cd was to hear one of my favourite pices for bassoon, the concerto by Gordon Jacob. I was slightly disappointed by the arrangement and the performance. Luciano magnannini (bassoon) performed the technically demanding passages with ease and style, but lacked the passion and excitement that the natural musicality of this piece contains. I felt the first movement too slow and reminded me more of a study in Bb major scales. The second movement too fast and lacking in sensitive and plaintive weeping that the phrasing demands. The last movement void of frantic excitement and tension. The accompanying arrangement from string orchestra and percussion to wind ensemble was interesting. Some of the instrumentation was inventive, but the lack of percussion (or at least percussive effects) made the pice too bland in colour and 'zing" for my ears. The heavy use of bassoon in the accompanyment sometimes left me wondering where the solo line had finished.
i did love the playing of the bass clarinettist in this piece. Unfortunately his name was not mentioned for this particular performance.
Well worth a listen if you love the Gordon Jacob bassoon concerto."