Jawad’s Classical Archives – Set 01, CD 005

Argenta conducts Rimsky-Korsakov, Chabrier, Granados, etc.

My Opinion

Every once in a while, mankind is robbed of a musical genius by an unfortunate tragic event. This was the case of the Spanish conductor Ataúlfo Argenta, who sadly succumbed to carbon monoxide asphyxia in his own car. He was only 45 years old, and one can only nostalgically dream of the riches of music the world has missed. There is little doubt in my mind that he could have achieved the notoriety of a Karajan, a Klemperer, or a Mitropoulos.

This outstanding Decca issue assembles recordings made with an outstanding London Symphony Orchestra (LSO). For me the highlight of the disk is the excellent Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol, where the LSO showcases its virtuosity and the conductor its great ability to keep things under close control. Chabier’s España is of the highest order as well, and the Debussy and Moszkowski do not disappoint either. Listening to Argenta and the LPO perform these Spain-inspired works will, almost magically, produce the distinctive feeling of enjoying a gazpacho in Andalusia, but with a sense of refinement reminiscent of a Viennese evening. In addition, the Decca sound of the disk is excellent throughout. ¡Hombre!  ¡que maravilla!

Reviews

“Ataúlfo Argenta was a very talented conductor whose career was tragically cut short as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning–he was discovered in his garage with his car engine running. His recordings always have been prized by collectors, and include a fine Berlioz Symphonie fantastique, as well as this disc, a collection that combines the contents of two LPs. Debussy’s Images receives a thoroughly idiomatic reading, which is only to be expected from the same orchestra that Ernest Ansermet had trained and with which he recorded this very music a couple of years previously. But Argenta’s ability really stands out in the couplings, in which he coaxes some fine playing from a London Symphony Orchestra that was, in 1957, in the midst of its most slovenly period. His Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio espagnol might not have quite the pizzazz of Bernstein’s, but it’s elegant and exciting by turns, and his Chabrier ranks with the best. Although already reissued in Decca’s “Classic Sound” series, this re-remastering at least means that the disc will remain available for a while longer. Buy it while you can.” – David Hurwitz.