This recital by Andrés Segovia, 1893-87, was recorded by Radiotelevisione della Svizzera italiana at the Chiesa di S. Francesco, Locarno, in October 1968. In an interesting booklet note, Ruggero Chiesa, translated by Eric Siegel, points out that the concert was the artist's return to the platform after several eye operations which 'might explain some of the technical slips that occurred during the performance.' Nevertheless, the artist's characteristic charm and elegance is evident throughout the 69'.27 recording.
The repertoire ranges from the 16th to the 20th century demonstrating a breadth of musical interest that is not always evident in more popular Segovia recitals. The works played here include [1] six Pavanes by the 16th-century composer, Luis Milán. Originally composed for the vihuela, a lute-like instrument popular in early 16th-century Spain, they were included in a set of vocal and instrumental works published in Valencia in 1536. Interestingly, Segovia's interpretation is closer to that of the 19th-century; [2] an Aria with Variations by Frescobaldi; [3] transcriptions of J. S. Bach's Siciliana and Bourré from the Sonata No. 1 and Partita No. 1, respectively, for solo violin; [4] transcriptions of Mendelssohn's Song with Words, op. 3 no. 3, for piano and the Canzonetta from his String Quartet No. 1, op. 12.
There follows [5] a Variation and Fugue on a theme by Handel, 1970, by the composer and Hollywood musical arranger, Albert Harris, 1916-2005; [6] a five-movement Cavatina, 1951, by the Polish-born composer Alexander Tansman, 1897-1986. This work is a maelstrom of neo-Romantic, Impressionist and Stravinskian elements; [7] three pieces from Platero y yo, op. 190, 1960, by Castelnuovo-Tedesco; [8] transcriptions of two piano pieces, Torre Bermeja and Sevilla, by Albéniz; [9] Romance de los pinos by Federico Moreno Torroba, 1891- 1982, and [10] the first of the Two Etudes by Heitor Villa-Lobos, 1887-1959.
What's in the box
1xCD
