Mozart to Piazzolla
MOZART: 2-Piano Sonata; SCHUBERT: Fantasy in F minor; DEBUSSY: Sacred and Profane Dances; PIAZZOLLA: 5 Tangos Ralph & Albertine Votapek
Blue Griffin 157 74 minutes
As a 36-year musical collaborator with my wife, I have a special affinity for the kind of music a couple can make. We are a singer and pianist, but most of the best duo-piano teams have a very close personal relationship in addition to their musical relationship (many pairs of brothers or sisters, and also many couples). First and foremost is that the significant number of hours working together and getting inside each other’s heads makes for an ensemble that goes far beyond what is learned and into the realm of intuitive. Ralph and Albertine Votapek are such a team, having met while both were Juilliard students, studying with Rosina Lhevinne. Their longevity as a team is not mentioned in the booklet, but it dates from their early student days and amounts to more than half their lives.
This is one of the most enjoyable two-piano records to come my way in a long time. Four composers with different compositional styles makes for a balanced and varied program, each one flawlessly performed. The Mozart and Schubert are masterpieces of the two-piano and piano four-hand repertoire. The Debussy is an effective arrangement by the composer of a work much better known in its harp-and-orchestra version. The Piazzolla Tangos are arranged for two pianos from the original solo piano versions by Pablo Ziegler, a long-time friend and collaborator of Piazzolla’s. They make a fabulous addition to the two-piano repertoire and are given knockout performances here.
This is very well recorded, bright and clear, and offers the opportunity to hear all of the great detail that 20 fingers can conjure up. Don’t miss it! HARRINGTON

The Votapeks: From Mozart to Piazzolla

$14.99

Add to Cart