What's on the iPod- From Bach to Piazzolla

I have to start this review with a disclaimer. Ever since I heard Maria Luisa Rayan-Forero play live at the 5^th Australian Harp Festival I was a fan (read more about that concert here). Then I had the pleasure of working with her myself on some pesky Bach ornamentation and became an even bigger fan. She’s just such a lovely lady!

So naturally I went out and bought her latest CD ‘From Bach to Piazzolla’ to relive the performance and to study her Bach a little more closely. While it’s impossible to completely capture the magic of a live concert in a studio recording I am not at all disappointed in what I got.

Maria Luisa Rayan-Forero has put together a wonderful CD of old classics, new classics and harp classics.

Here’s the track listing:

1.        Marcel Grandjany- Rhapsodie

2.       J.S. Bach Partita in B-flat major BWV 825- Praeludium

3.       Allemande

4.       Corrente

5.       Sarabande

6.       Menuets I & II

7.       Giga

8.       Heitor Villa-Lobos- Preludio from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4

9.       Astor Piazolla Cuatro Estaciones Portenas- Verano Porteno

10.   Otono Porteno

11.   Invierno Porteno

12.   Primavera Portena

13.   Serie del Angel- Milonga del Angel

14.   Muerte del Angel

15.   Resurreccion del Angel

16.   Libertango

 I came across a listing of the cd on the CD Universe website http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8776380 which categorises the music on the recording as

Category

Classical, Modern, Baroque Period, Dance - Classical, Rhapsody, Partita, Tango

 Which makes it sound a little indecisive in it’s make up. It’s anything but.

Maria has researched at length the influence Bach had on Piazzolla, so from that angle pairing the two otherwise vastly different composers makes sense. Working off her own transcriptions brings out her background learning still further, making for a very detailed performance throughout. The harmonic richness of the opening track (Grandjany) is then reflected in the language of Piazzolla, so it all wraps up very nicely.

Maria announced on Facebook recently that the album is being considered for a nomination at the Grammys, which is an amazing achievement for a solo harp CD. Here’s hoping she gets the nod for a nomination and, even better, a win!

Either way, grab yourself a copy and enjoy!