Sigma Alpha Iota

PAN PIPES • FALL 2016 • sai-national.org 32 REVIEWS EMIGRANTES FLUTE MUSIC FROM ARGENTINA Elena Yarritu, flute and alto flute with Paulina Fain and Exequiel Mantega F lutist Elena Yarritu, in collaboration with flutist Paulina Fain and composer/pianist Exequiel Mantega, presents a program of music both composed and arranged by Mantega, who is one of Argentina's most talented young composers. The title of the CD as well as the title of the first piece, Emigrantes, consists of three movements and is a tribute to all those people who survived World War II by immigrating to other countries. It immediately captivates the listener due to the introduction of whistle tones on the flute. These are tiny high pitched sounds resembling a tea kettle whistling, and are an unexpected although welcome surprise. The three movements are influenced by folk elements found in different regions of Argentina. The second composition, Avestruz, is written for the alto flute and was inspired by a flightless bird, the rhea that roams. The work has a dreamlike, pastoral quality. The choice of the alto flute for this piece helps contribute to the mood. El Soplete, meaning "torch," is a quartet for two C flutes, alto flute, and bass flute. The flutes converse back and forth in a tango-like dance. Here flutist Elena Yarritu is joined by one of Argentina's foremost tango flutists, Paulina Fain. The two soloists balance each other well while at the same time each displays her own unique tone quality. Astor Piazolla's Etudes are well known to saxophonists and are also popular among flutists who enjoy performing the adapted version. In his tangos, Piazolla skillfully incorporates the elements of the tango with both jazz and classical idioms. The tango had been popular in the 1930s and 1940s but had begun to decline until it was made popular again by Piazolla. Today it is once again enjoying tremendous popularity, and Mantega demonstrates his considerable talents for arranging in this version for two flutes. The Six Etudes presented here, display the many moods of the tango with shifting tempi and complex rhythms. The addition of this version of these beloved pieces is most welcome to the repertoire, and no doubt listeners will also appreciate the excellent and inspiring performance presented here. The final piece, Concierto Para Quinteto is an arrangement of one of Piazolla's best known works. Here the performers present another well-crafted arrangement by Mantega. In this version, the composer reduces the original quintet from piano, string bass, bandoneon, violin, and clarinet or guitar to the one presented here for flute with piano. Elena Yarritu performs as a soloist, chamber musician, conductor and teacher and resides in California. She has a particular interest in the tango and serves as the North American coordinator for Tango Para Musicos, an international tango festival for musicians held in Buenos Aires and Portland, Oregon. Yarritu is joined on the CD by flutist Paulina Fain, who has toured widely and promotes the tango through her writing, teaching, and performances with pianist Exequiel Mantega. Composer Exequiel Mantega has performed and had his music played widely in both Europe and South America. In addition to his talents as composer and arranger, he also proves to be a skilled pianist for this recording. ANTON BRUCKNER SYMPHONY N0. 5 London Symphony Orchestra, Lance Friedel, conductor K nown as one of the world's premiere orchestras, the London Symphony Orchestra under the direction of conductor Lance Friedel presents a beautifully rendered and unique performance of Bruckner's Symphony No. 5. The London Symphony Orchestra is a world leader in recording for commercial CD releases and events. Known to many audiences for hundreds of films including four of the Harry Potter films, Superman, and Star Wars, the Orchestra also is committed to music education. This recording was made in All Hallows Church which provides a very resonant space for this intensely dramatic and vivid performance. Bruckner's symphonies have sometimes been described as being like "cathedrals in sound", and this particular venue used for the recording would seem to emphasize this feature. A successful organist and church musician, his symphonies challenge the listener with both their size and with their complexity. One can appreciate the enormous range of dynamics and colors of the work presented in this venue. Balance, intonation, quality of sound are all exceptional. The young American conductor Lance Friedel currently maintains an active career in both Europe and the United States. Several of his recordings have received high critical acclaim. He is also the recipient of several prestigious first prize awards for his conducting. This recording is sure to bring him further recognition as a rising star. The liner notes provided by Friedel provide welcome insights into the composer and into his own interpretation of the work. Written in 1875-76, the work is nearly 74 minutes, and is considered of epic proportions even for Bruckner. Bruckner was a successful organist and church musician, and the comparison of his symphonies to "cathedrals of sound" is a particularly appropriate description for this Symphony No. 5 due to its large scale and architectural symmetry. Constructed in four movements, the work is full of lush romantic melodies and harmonies, and powerful climaxes. In the Finale, he reminds us of the other movements through his use of cyclic treatment of previous themes, thus bringing the entire work to a powerful close.

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