The Oberlin Orchestra under Raphael Jimenez joins Yolanda Kondonassis for a sterling performance of Ginastera's "Harp Concerto, Op. 25" (1956, revised 1968), one of his most memorable works. Ms. Kondonassis is an excellent exponent of the concerto and the orchestra is inspired to give us a fabulous performance while Yolanda soars.
Gil Shaham and Orli Shaham (on violin and piano) are next up in a beautiful rendition of "Pampeana No. 1, Op. 16" (1947) combining inimitably Argentinian traditional elements and Ginastera's special modernist touch.
Jason Vieaux follows with a fine reading of the "Sonata for Guitar, Op. 47" (1976) which has a pronounced 20th century complexity with a channeling of the idiomatic spectrum of Spanish and Argentinian classical roots.
Finally there is the vibrant "Danzas Argentinas, Op. 2" (1937) which features Orli Shaham in a perfectly turbulent and vivid interpretation of another Ginastera masterwork.
The album is virtually a perfect way to remember the composer and mark his would-be 100th birthday. Every work is a gem and each performance is near-definitive. Ginastera's original way with traditional and modern elements carries the day with a program of essential works. Do not hesitate on this one. It is seminal!
