MOZART: Flute Concerto in G, K. 313. Bassoon Concerto in B flat, K. 191. Clarinet Concerto in A, K. 622
Allison Mitchell, flute; Ursula Leveaux, bassoon; Maximillano Martin, clarinet; Scottish Chamber Orch/Alexander Janiczek, cond.
LINN SACD CKD 273 TT: 72:32
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BACH: Fantasia and Fugue in A minor,BWV 904. Aria Variata 'alla Maniera Italiana' BWV 989. Sonata in D BWV 963. Partie in A BWV 832. Suite in F minor BWV 823. Adagio in G BWV 968. Fugue in C BWV 953. Jesu, meine Zuversicht BWV 728. Wer nuyr den lieben Gott lässt walten BWV 691. Fantasia and Fugue in A minor BWV 944
Angela Hewitt, piano
HYPERION SACD SACDA 67499 TT: 67:42
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BOCCHERINI: Quintetto No. 4 in D "Fandango." (G. 448) Sinfonia in D minor, Op. 37 No. 3.(G. 517). Sinfonia in A, Op. 35 No. 3.(G. 511). Quintettino in D, Op. 30 No. 6."La musica notturna delle strade du Madrid" (G. 324).
Rolf Lislevand, guitar; José de Udaeta, castanets; Le Concert des Nations/Jordi Savall, cond.
ALIAVOX SACD AVSA9845 TT: 71:39
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Here are three delightful additions to the SACD catalog. Mozart's concertos for flute, bassoon and clarinet make an ideal coupling on this well-filled SACD, with sterling performances by flutist Allison Mitchell, bassoonist Ursula Leveaux and clarinetist Maximillano Martin, all principal desk players of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Linn's recording was made in Edinburgh's Usher Hall in June 2005 and boasts crystal-clear close-up sonics, with soloists perfectly placed. Pianist Angela Hewitt is one of today's leading Bach specialists; her SACD recording of the composer's keyboard concertos has already been mentioned on this site (see REVIEW). Now we have her acclaimed disk of solo keyboard music of the composer which begins and ends with two different Fantasias and Fugues in A minor and includes a number of lesser-known works. SACD improves very little on the original CD issue, and the "surround sound" effect is minimal, with the performer in front. Totally captivating is the AliaVox generously-filled SACD of music of Luigi Boccherini performed by Jordi Savall and Le Concert des Nations with featured guest artists Rolf Lislevand, guitarist, and José Udaeta who plays the castanets. Featured is the Quintet No. 4 in D subtitled Fandango, as well as one of the composer's best-known works, the Quintetettino in C descriptive of the night music of Madrid. Two Sinfonias complete the program. These performances are absolutely magnificent, played with dedication, style, and in the Fandango, incredible verve. The recorded sound is wonderfully warm and natural, and producers have produced a perfect balance for all instruments, including castanets. This SACD is handsomely packaged - a class act, indeed!

R.E.B. (June 2006)

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