This
CD introduces one of the more fruitful chamber combinations: the
accordion (understood as a classical instrument) and vocals. In
this case Laurence Cavagnolo
(dramatic soprano, accustomed to performing on many stages in
numerous French and foreign theatres) performs with the accordion
of Jean-Marc Marroni.
Their repertoire ranges from Händel
to Berio and Piazzolla and is therefore (from the point of view
of styles) very vast. In this great "historical magnitude"
inevitably the accordion is sometimes excluded from accompaniment,
but sometimes a balanced duo. Its accompaniment function doesn't
have to be in any way seen as mortification of the instrument:
the accordion has some specifics that make it an excellent accompaniment
instrument and it is just as interesting and certainly many times
richer than a piano; unfortunately this diffusion is not always
put into practise (and also needs good instrumental adaptations).
For example it is clear how the
accordion "suffers" the "softness" of the
music written by the young Verdi in "Non t'accostare all'urna"
(from the "Six Romances" 1838), or his incapability
to separate the continuous from the orchestra "Ombra Mai
Fu" (Händel). Instead the best performed pieces are
without doubt the harmonic combines of Reger, the sparkling colors
of the "Habanera" from "Carmen" (Bizet), the
sudden changes of humor of the Chanson (Berio), the tightrope
walkings of "Jota " (Manuel della Falla) and the refinement
and the humor of the waltz (Oscar Straus).
Laurence presents herself as an
ample artist (covering several different roles) singing in 4 different
languages (Italian, French, German and Spanish) and she surely
finds herself at ease with Reger, Poulenc, Falla and Strauss.
Her companion is outstanding above all for control of sound and
to "tame" the great potentiality of his instrument by
responding to the disposition of the music as well as the equilibrium
of the duo.
Jean-Marc demonstrates another great
merit: "Meditation devant l'image du Sacre Sindone"
composed by himself for accordion solo - placed as a "turning
point " in the middle of this CD- a true "jewel".
To order the CD go to MFA
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