Vivaldi: Concerti da Camera. Michala Petri, recorder; Heinz Holliger, oboe; Klaus Thunemann, bassoon; et al. Philips 411 356 (2 LPs or cassettes).
This digital recording presents several of Vivaldi's more well-known Concerti á 5 as well as his Sonata in A Minor for recorder, bassoon and continuo. Produced as a vehicle for the young Danish virtuoso Michala Petri, the other "assisting" artists are miked into the shadows, destroying the true give-and-take ensemble spirit of the pieces. Holliger in particular is wasted here: he plays dutifully but is miked so low that he seems to be barely present. Thunemann is fortunately assigned a more starring role. The sound is luscious and the solo playing is excellent, but musically this set has nothing on Frans Bruggen's similar collection (reviewed in this column in the Winter 1984 issue). A charming note is the occasional use of theorbo continuos and its accompanying percussive effects.
Rating: 2 1/2 CROWS
Telemann: Suite and Two Double- Concertos. Michala Petri, recorder; William Bennett, flute; Klaus Thunemann, bassoon; Academy of St. Martin-in-the- Fields; Iona Brown, conductor. Philips 410 042-3 (CD), 6514 165 (LP), 7337 165 (cassette).
The Concerto in F Major for recorder, bassoon and strings
highlights this digital set of Telemann's concerti. Thunemann's
big expansive sound is presented to fullest advantage and nicely
complements Petri's flashy recorder playing. The accent is on
virtuosity as the two soloists ornament the already-florid solo
writing. The recording also includes the Concerto in E Minor
for recorder, flute and the Suite in A Minor for recorder
and strings. The audio quality is superb, and the recording comes
with copious program notes.
Rating: 3 CROWS
Telemann: Sonatas, Suites and Small Pieces. Heinz Holliger, oboe; Klaus Thunemann, bassoon; Christiane Jaccottet, harpsichord. Denon CD 38C37-7052.
Telemann's collection "Der Getreue MusikMeister," published in Hamburg in 1728, included a number of pieces which would remain mainstays of the wind repertoire up until the present day. Holliger is heard as soloist in most of the solo works on this Japanese digital import and he plays with his customary blend of virtuosity, musicality and personal sound. Thunemann turns in one of the most impressive displays of continuo playing on record, infusing every phrase with character and never being content to remain in a merely supporting role. Their vibratos blend nicely and the ensemble is excellent.
Thunemann also plays the Sonata in F Minor in an interpretation long on beautiful tone and short on rhythmic drive, especially in the second movement. One laments as well the lack of a 'cello continuo in the sonata. The sound quality is excellent.
Rating: 3 CROWS
Vivaldi: Concertos for Bassoon and Orchestra. Sergei Krasavin, bassoon; Soloists Ensemble of the USSR Symphony Orchestra; Yuri Temirkanov, conductor. Melodiya LP C10 17097 006.
Sergei Krasavin is one of the Soviet Union's leading bassoonists, playing with the USSR Symphony Orchestra since 1968 after eight years at the Kirov. He also won competitions in Prague (1959) and Munich (1966).
On this record Krasavin tackles four of the most well-known Vivaldi concerti: the F Major, the E Minor and the two in A minor. Although Krasavin has a splendid technique, he has occasional intonation problems and a rather stuffy tone. Of more serious concern is the interpretation: recent musicological finds and current performance practice has not yet spread eastward enough to counter the prevailing nineteenth-century aesthetic still in favor in the Soviet Union. The pressing is average, and the audio quality suffers from sonic compression.
Rating 1 1/2 CROWS
The Boulder Bassoon Band's Greatest Hits. Bill Douglas, et al. (cassette available from Bill Douglas, 3055 17th Street, Boulder, Colorado 80302).
This privately-produced cassette is a real treasure and a find,
as well as being the best bassoon ensemble recording available
since The Bubonic Bassoon Quartet came out several years
ago. The cassette is also a testament to the polished bassoon
and piano playing and fertile imagination of Bill Douglas.
The ensemble (which besides Douglas comprises a quartet of bassoonists and a percussionist) plays a truly mixed-bag of Josquin, Bach, David Carroll's Entrance and Polka of the Bassoon Players, Broadway standards and more.
Nine compositions by Bill Douglas are featured, including four of his Rock Etudes: rhythmically complex vocal pieces performed by the ensemble. Also performed on the cassette is a piece by John Steinmetz, another unusual bassoonist- composer. His soundtrack to a yet-to-be-made science-fiction film is called, appropriately, "The Monster that Devoured Cleveland. "
This cassette has a charming, homemade quality to it, and many, if not all, of the selections were recorded in concert.
Rating: 3 CROWS