The Jewish Soul - Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco - Maurice Ravel - Rafi Kadishon - Yehezkel Braun - Jerusalem S.O. & Liat Cohen, Guitar

A fine disc from Centaur records featuring the music of Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Ravel, Rafi Kadishon (orchestrations of 3 Israeli songs) and Yehezkel Braun. 

Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco's Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra in D major is not unlike Rodrigo's ubiquitous Concierto de Aranjuez. In fact, both were actually composed in the same year, 1938, and both completed interestingly, the following year 1939. Apparently Castelnuovo-Tedesco's concerto was programmed and performed first, by Andrés Segovia (the concerto was written for and dedicated to Segovia). It's almost as popular as Rodrigo's "Concierto..." and it's easy to hear why. It's lush, exciting music and a staple of the repertoire. One can hear Hebraic-style melodies throughout, although in quite the subtle way. With admiration and respect for the Jewish musical heritage, Ravel has harmonized three of its most beautiful and familiar melodies in his "Three Hebraic Melodies" which follows the concerto by C-Tedesco. Next is Rafi Kadishon's orchestrations of 3 Israeli songs,
which frankly is a tad too "cinematic" to my ears, and a rather light affair. Lastly is Yehezkel Braun's
"Fantasia Lyrica" for Guitar and Orchestra, practically a concerto in one movement. It's an upbeat and delightful work, from one of the finest Israeli composers. *Sadly, I only just learned this evening, on Yom Kippur in fact-that Braun passed away this summer, on August 27th. There's a handful of recordings with some of his compositions, but not much. Hopefully his output will be explored with greater focus and his music recorded (Naxos??) more often..which it really deserves. Enjoy.

“Liat Cohen’s clear and firm way with the melody adds immeasurably to the

pleasure. I liked the way she played the Castelnuovo -Tedesco concerto. In the

Andantino she reaches into the depths of the Jewish soul” Classical Guitar

Magazine, London

“Guitarist Liat COHEN performed a highly-praised concert with the Jerusalem

Symphony Orchestra. It's a wonderful exploration into the Jewish music, the

broad abilities of the guitar as a primary instrument & the virtuoso

performance of Liat COHEN." WRR 

Tracks:

Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra in D major

1)Allegretto

2)Andantino alla romanza 

3)Ritmico e cavalleresco

Maurice Ravel: Three Hebraic Melodies

4)Kaddish (Deux Melodies Hebraiques)

5)Mejerke, main Suhn (Chanson Hebraiques)

6)L'Enigme eternelle (Deux Melodies Hebraiques)

Kadishon: (orch. of 3 Israeli songs)

7)Ani Gitara (I am a guitar) 8)Lo yadati (I did not know what) 9)Yom Yaffe (A nice day)

Yehezkel Braun:

10)Fantasia Lyrica for Guitar and Orchestra

The_Jewish_Soul_Centaur_Records_Tz.zip

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