Brahms' fascination with the Hungarian musical idiom permeates many of his compositions. Likely the most overt example of his affinity for the style is his set of 21 Hungarian Dances, originally composed as a piano duo. Since that time, the dances have been arranged for various instruments and ensembles; the present album features the transcription made by the cello virtuoso Alfred Piatti. They are performed by cellist Nancy Green and Frederick Moyer. Green's playing on this particular disc is the most vibrant, technically ...
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Brahms' fascination with the Hungarian musical idiom permeates many of his compositions. Likely the most overt example of his affinity for the style is his set of 21 Hungarian Dances, originally composed as a piano duo. Since that time, the dances have been arranged for various instruments and ensembles; the present album features the transcription made by the cello virtuoso Alfred Piatti. They are performed by cellist Nancy Green and Frederick Moyer. Green's playing on this particular disc is the most vibrant, technically commanding, confident, and authoritative that she has produced in memory. She gives listeners everything they would hope for in a quintessential "Hungarian" sound: gritty, meaty playing, exciting tempo changes, brusque articulation, and vibrant dynamic contrasts. Sadly, JRI Recording's sound quality all but nullifies all of these positive attributes. Whether as a result of Green's instrument, the microphone placement, or (more likely) some combination of the two, the overall product...
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