Search - Fronterizos :: Misa Criolla

A newer, more "civilized" Misa Criolla

Walter Arnstein | Cloverdale, CA United States | 01/22/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded in 1977, 15 years after the monumental debut of Ariel Ramirez' original Misa, this version of the immensely popular vernacular mass is more slick and "refined" than the 1962 product, featuring professional Porteño choir and orchestra and equally professional singers added to complement the original Fronterizos, who can still be heard and recognized. There is a new Introduction preceding the Kyrie and extensive figurations replacing the original native rhythms, extending the lengh of the work by some 10 minutes from its original 17 minutes. it is recorded and stamped entirely in the composer's native Argentina. Even the program notes are offered only in Spanish.



The performance is flawless and fascinating, and I have listened to it numerous times, but you know what? The 1962 performance is still THE Misa, with its primitive instruments and propulsive rhythms, sung in Gaucho -- or at least non-Porteño -- Spanish. It is now available again, remastered and offered with its original coupling, Ramirez' Navidad Nuestra. If you are to choose only one Misa, get the original!



Incidentally, a third choice is available to the Misa fancier: the one with José Carreras as the principal soloist. To me, it is a strange presentation, sung in Castilian and featuring totally different instrumentation and rhythms. But Ariel Ramirez was a participant in its preparation and gave the production its blessings, as he did to the other two. So who am I to criticize? Enjoy any of them, or better, all three."