[.ca] Rodrigo: The Complete Music for Piano

From Amazon.com:
This two-disc set contains all the piano music by the composer of the famous Concierto de Aranjuez. I can't understand why this music isn't better known. For light-hearted, folk-flavored Spanish entertainment music, Rodrigo is right up there with Albeniz and Granados. While you wouldn't want to play through this whole set at once, nearly everything in it (except for a few simple children's pieces) ranks very high on the entertainment scale. The Cuatro Piezas is almost guaranteed to hook you on the set. Rodrigo himself provided an enthusiastic endorsement of these performances, which I gladly second, and the recorded sound is remarkably fine. --Leslie Gerber

Obras para piano de Rodrigo:
Well played by professor Allen, wonderful music. I think that this is what is to be expected from Maestro Rodrigo. First pieces on the first disc sound sound a bit in the vein of Debussy, this was so maybe because it was the style of the day, but it may well also reflect the composer's time in Paris, where he studied with Paul Dukas, and was friend with the mexican composer, Manuel Ponce. All the music in the disc is well played by professor Allen along with music for piano 4 hands, where professor Allen is accompanied by Anton Nel. Wonderful recording, indeed a five stars!!!!!

Disappointing:
Rodrigo. One things of the lilting, lovely Spanish melodies of Concierto de Aranjuez or Fantasia para un Gentilhombre. Even the lesser symphonic works have such charm, such appeal -- so I thought that this album of solo piano works would be startlingly good, uniquely Rodrigo. I expected light to heavy Spanish influences, fluid phrasing, even the gently dynamic and soaring crescendos. Well, expectations are rarely satisfied. In this case, the pianist plays very well. His touch is gentle, flirting at times, and he shows understanding of Rodrigo's works. But it is the works themselves, all the songs and sonatas, that are a disappointment. They don't sound like Rodrigo but a great deal like Ravel, as if the French composer were standing over Rodrigo as he wrote, correcting with his pen. There are some pretty melodies here, and some are quite relaxing so that your listening time can pass nicely and sweetly. On the other hand, there are also a good many discords that interrupt the flow and prettiness of the music. Yes, these are very much like Ravel and in places, like bad Ravel. I would recommend the pianist since he does a remarkably nice job, but the actual music is just too different from Rodrigo's normal repertoire or from any sense of Spanish culture and music.

• Ste: Prld
• Ste: Sicilienne
• Ste: Bourree
• Ste: Menuet
• Ste: Rigaudon
• Preludio Al Gallo Mananero
• Zarabanda Lejana
• Pastorale
• Bagatela
• Serenata Espanola
• Sonada De Adios (Hommage A Paul Dukas)
• Tres Danzas De Espana: Rustica
• Tres Danzas De Espana: Danza De Las Tres Doncellas
• Tres Danzas De Espana: Serrana
• Danza De La Amapola
• Tres Evocaciones: Tarde En El Parque
• Tres Evocaciones: Noche En El Guadalquivir
• Tres Evocaciones: Manana En Triana
• Preludio De Anoranza
• Cinco Sons De Castilla, Con Toccata A Modo De Pregon: Toccata
• Cinco Sons De Castilla, Con Toccata A Modo De Pregon: Son No.1 in f#
• Cinco Sons De Castilla, Con Toccata A Modo De Pregon: Son No.2 in f#
• Cinco Sons De Castilla, Con Toccata A Modo De Pregon: Son No.3 in D
• Cinco Sons De Castilla, Con Toccata A Modo De Pregon: Son No.4 in b (Como Un Tiento)
• Cinco Sons De Castilla, Con Toccata A Modo De Pregon: Son No.5 in A
• Cinco Piezas Infantiles: Son Chicos Que Pasan
• Cinco Piezas Infantiles: Despues De Un Cuento
• Cinco Piezas Infantiles: Mazurka
• Cinco Piezas Infantiles: Plegaria
• Cinco Piezas Infantiles: Griteria Final
• Berceuse De Printemps
• Berceuse D'Automne
• Air De Ballet Sur Le Nom D'Une Jeune Fille
• El Album De Cecilia: Maria De Los Reyes (Sevillanas)
• El Album De Cecilia: A La Jota-Jota De Las Palomas
• El Album De Cecilia: Cancion Del Hada Rubia
• El Album De Cecilia: Cancion Del Hada Morena
• El Album De Cecilia: El Negrito Pepo
• El Album De Cecilia: Borriquillos A Belan
• Sonatina Para Dos Munecas: Empieza El Dia - Gregory Allen/Anton Nel
• Sonatina Para Dos Munecas: Allegres Peripecias - Gregory Allen/Anton Nel
• Sonatina Para Dos Munecas: Recogimiento - Gregory Allen/Anton Nel
• Sonatina Para Dos Munecas: Vuelta Del Cole - Gregory Allen/Anton Nel
• Gran Marcha De Los Subsecretarios - Gregory Allen/Anton Nel
• Atardecer - Gregory Allen/Anton Nel
• A L'Ombre De Torre Bermeja
• Cuatro Piezas: Caleseras-Homenaje A Chueca
• Cuatro Piezas: Fandango Del Ventorrillo
• Cuatro Piezas: Plegaria De La Infanta De Castilla
• Cuatro Piezas: Danza Valenciana
• Cuatro Estampas Andaluzas: El Vendedor De Chanquetes
• Cuatro Estampas Andaluzas: Crepusculo Sobre El Guadalquivir
• Cuatro Estampas Andaluzas: Seguidillas Del Diablo
• Cuatro Estampas Andaluzas: Barquitos De Cadiz