Antonio Soler outstanding disc (on pianos).

[Lance]

Antonio Soler [1729-1783, Spanish composer]
I well remember the American Decca recordings of Frederick Marvin, a professor of piano at Syracuse University, and an artist I met a long time ago. Loved those discs. But I happened on what I find to be amazing performances of a group of Soler's sonatas (6 of them), along with an incredible performance of the Fandango plus two concertos for two pianos (no orchestral accompaniment). This appears on a low-priced ARTS CD from Germany [47552, 63:06, DDD]. The artists are Begona Uriarte and Karl-Hermann Mrongovius. The two artists perform the two concertos, Uriarte performs the six sonatas, and Mrongovius performs the Fandango, executed stunningly so that my wife put her head down the door and asked me to find the music for her! The two concertos, which are wonderfully surprising, and the Fandango is worth the price of the disc and I heartily recommend it. These two artists have worked together and have produced a number of discs, including music by Mendelssohn, Brahms, Schumann and others. First-class, stunning pianos, and excellent acoustics. This guy, Padre Antonio Soler, was a top-notch composer and deserves to be far better known. Fortunately, he is well represented on discs these days ... even his complete keyboard sonatas. I can't tell you much I have enjoyed this disc; totally uplifting! •

[maestrob]

Antonio Soler [1729-1783, Spanish composer]
I well remember the American Decca recordings of Frederick Marvin, a professor of piano at Syracuse University, and an artist I met a long time ago. Loved those discs. But I happened on what I find to be amazing performances of a group of Soler's sonatas (6 of them), along with an incredible performance of the Fandango plus two concertos for two pianos (no orchestral accompaniment). This appears on a low-priced ARTS CD from Germany [47552, 63:06, DDD]. The artists are Begona Uriarte and Karl-Hermann Mrongovius. The two artists perform the two concertos, Uriarte performs the six sonatas, and Mrongovius performs the Fandango, executed stunningly so that my wife put her head down the door and asked me to find the music for her! The two concertos, which are wonderfully surprising, and the Fandango is worth the price of the disc and I heartily recommend it. These two artists have worked together and have produced a number of discs, including music by Mendelssohn, Brahms, Schumann and others. First-class, stunning pianos, and excellent acoustics. This guy, Padre Antonio Soler, was a top-notch composer and deserves to be far better known. Fortunately, he is well represented on discs these days ... even his complete keyboard sonatas. I can't tell you much I have enjoyed this disc; totally uplifting! •

Sounds wonderful, Lance, but the only disc by those two artists that I could find on amazon was this one of works by Richard Strauss, which I'll be hearing today:

[Lance]

My copy came from Presto ... $9/USA. I have a few of this duo's recordings, Mendelssohn concertos for two pianos and four-hand/two piano music. They are a great duo who don't seem to be known as well as they should be. I don't have any of their Strauss CDs - yet. The Soler disc, however, is well worthing seeking. That Fandango still looms large in my brain's ears!

[barney]

My order has gone in to Presto, and I trust it will soon be winging its way across the globe.
Thanks Lance.

[Lance]

Wonderful, Barney. You shan't be disappointed!

[barney]

I do enjoy the rather limited Soler I know already. I've got about 20 works, I think.

[maestrob]

My copy came from Presto ... $9/USA. I have a few of this duo's recordings, Mendelssohn concertos for two pianos and four-hand/two piano music. They are a great duo who don't seem to be known as well as they should be. I don't have any of their Strauss CDs - yet. The Soler disc, however, is well worthing seeking. That Fandango still looms large in my brain's ears!

That CD is now in my Presto basket as well, Lance!

I have to say that the Strauss "melodrama" CD turned out to be a disappointment, as the monologue was in German, a language I don't speak. Oh well!