Steven Stucky (b. 1949)
Etudes (2002)

Daniel Börtz (b. 1943)
Pipes and Bells (2002)

Joan Albert Amargós (b. 1950)
Northern Concerto (2005)

Michala Petri (recorders)
& Danish National Symphony Orchestra/Lan Shui

OUR recordings: 6.220531 [57 mins]

An exemplary production which brings back to notice the virtuoso recorder player Michala Petri, who used to be heard a lot in UK when she burst onto the scene in the already distant past. Now there are many dedicated soloists, who have raised the standard for this once humble instrument to dizzy heights (q.v. http://www.musicalpointers.co.uk/festivals/uk/Greenwich%20%20EMF%202005.htm).

These three ambitious concertante works composed for her are ideally contrasted and show Michala Petri now at the height of her powers. I have listened through twice, the second time in reverse order, which I prefer and adopt here.

The American Steven Stucky's Etudes are sharp, clear and effective, with instrumentation which sets off the solo instrument perfectly. Initially concerned that its range of expression and dynamics would be limiting, he was soon persuaded otherwise, and this is a highly viable work, live or recorded, which deserves widest currency.

Daniel Börtz is a significant Swedish composer who sets the variously sized recorders, using their extended techiques possibilities, against spare but highly effective backgrounds, carrying considerable emotional force. This is the piece I shall return to most often.

Amargós' Northern Concerto is eclectic and colourful, the skilled musician's "aesthetic multiplicity" tending towards the populist, but far from simplistic. A relaxing, hedonistic work that is ideal for ending a listening session. Questionable whether the fragile solo instrument would make itself heard live against the orchestral density - but does that matter? Concert performances are likely to remain infrequent and most listening nowadays is to recordings.

The folding-type packaging (far more attractive than jewel cases) is enhanced by beautiful and intriguing paintings (Lars Physant) and good graphic design. Recording quality and balance can be taken for granted and this is a CD which should enjoy great success.

Do consider it in conjunction with Petri's Thomas Koppel disc (with two recorder concertos composed for her) and Dan Laurin's equally innovative and successful 21st-century music for recorder.

Peter Grahame Woolf

Also enjoyed:

Piazzolla, Villa-Lobos etc (Michala Petri with Lars Hannibal, guitar)
OUR recordings 2007

Chinese & western music (Chen Yue (bamboo flute with Lars Hannibal, guitar)
OUR recordings 2007

These two restful compilations go well taken in tandem. The recorder and the Chinese bamboo flute both have a coolness which gives an attractive slant on the popular music covered in these anthologies. Chen Yeu gives traditional European tunes, but also the Air on the G string and Winter from The Four Seasons. Lars Hannibal partners them both and takes a few solos in the Chen Yue Spirits disc.

PGW