Cheap Rodrigo: Concierto de estio; Semenoff; Double Concerto; Elizalde; Violin Concerto (Music) (Joaquin Rodrigo, Ivan Semenoff, Federico [Fred] Elizalde, George Enescu, Gaston Poulet, Christian Ferras, Pierre Barbizet) Price

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Customer Reviews of Rodrigo: Concierto de estio; Semenoff; Double Concerto; Elizalde; Violin Concerto

Another Testament to Great Reissues
Testament is rapidly becoming one of my favorite classical labels, despite the fact that its CDs sell at full-price. This company prides itself on licensing classic recordings from the vaults of labels like EMI and Decca, performances that the big boys won't reissue not because of their musical quality, but because of their lack of profitability. Generally Testament sticks to programs from the major repertoire, however this disc, featuring violinist Christian Ferras, is unique in that it offers historical recordings of lesser-known works. My only previous introduction to Ferras was via his collaboration on the Bach Double with Menuhin, but having heard these accounts of Rodrigo's "Concierto de Estio" and the obscure Concertos of Semenoff and Elizalde, I look forward to buying more of his titles. Ferras prided himself on expanding the repertoire, and Decca originally gave him the flexibility to do just that. In fact, the Elizalde was written for and premiered by Ferras, and recorded here in 1947 with Gaston Poulet conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. Since there are few orchestral works written for both piano and violin, the Semenoff Double Concerto, recorded in 1951 with the composer conducting Orchestre de la Societe des Concerts du Conservatoire, gave Ferras the opprtunity to collaborate with recital partner Pierre Barbizet. Finally, while Rodrigo was mainly known for his guitar compositions, his work for violin, also recorded in 1951, but with Georges Enesco leading the OSCC, is equally stunning. In all, this title is yet another "Testament" to a great reissue program.