Search - Carlos Surinach, Jorge Mester, Robert Whitney :: Carlos Surinach: Melorhythmic Dramas; Symphonic Variations; Feria Magica Overture; Sinfonietta Flamenca

Carlos Surinach (1915-1997) wrote some of the most entertaining concert music of the 20th century. If you're unacquainted with his work, go straight to the Sinfonietta Flamenca which, despite slightly cloudy mono sound, comes blazing through with its flamenco-inspired fury and excitement. Melorhythmic Dramas, which opens the disc, is a more thoughtful and subtle piece, but after the other Spanish-flavored works have got you under their spell you'll go back to the Dramas for another side of this wonderful, unjustly neglected composer. (He was also a fine conductor.) This is a very useful compilation from the old Louisville First Editions catalog. Although it betrays its origins in uneven sound quality (two of the items are mono) and incomplete program notes (no useful up-to-date overview of Surinach's career), the music is what counts and it's more than worth the modest asking price. And watch for his Piano Concerto (preferably the premiere recording by De Larrocha, not yet on CD), one of the greatest such works of the 20th century. --Leslie Gerber