- CD
- Video
 |
$15.00 |
- Tracks
- Notes
- Review 1
| 1 | Niccolo Paganini: Caprice 5 | 6 | Luigi Legnani: Fantasia, Op. 19 |
| 2 | Niccolo Paganini: Caprice 11 | 7 | Giulio Regondi: Reverie, Op. 19 |
| 3 | Niccolo Paganini: Caprice 17 | 8 | Luigi Legnani: Caprice 15 |
| 4 | Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Capriccio Diabolico | 9 | Luigi Legnani: Caprice 22 |
| 5 | Giulio Regondi: Introduction et Caprice, Op. 23 | 10 | Luigi Legnani: Caprice 7 |
| A capriccio - or caprice - was not always a form centred on virtuosity alone. If virtuosity of such masterpieces as the Paganini
Capricci is very precisely notated nonetheless in this time a 1Ccapriccio 1D was still wedded to a long tradition of pure improvisation.
If faithfulness to the received musical urtext increased in the twentieth century, today, in the twenty-first, young players are again resurrecting once forgotten traditions of spontaneity in performance. Thus the present recording is an homage to the early nineteenth century Romantic tradition and recalls that the performer was also expected to share in creativity the final musical result. Cadenzas, ornamented repeats, and a general interpretation of freedom seem to me to be forgotten charms inherent to this music and too often overlooked. Paradoxically, a freer interpretation may yield results closer to the composer likely intentions than a more literal reading or more staid understanding of the word "virtuosity". It is certainly more fun for the performer and - I hope - for the listener as well. Jérôme Mouffe |
| Jerome Mouffe comes out blazing on his debut CD "Capriccio", rendering a blistering Caprice 5 by Paganini. If he opens his concerts with this gymnastic exercise, it would be a true "wow!" moment. It is the same on this CD of early nineteenth century Italian virtuoso pieces from Paganini, Regondi, Legnani, and Castelnuovo-Tedesco. Mouffe, a Belgian studying for his doctorate under the tutelage of Eliot Fisk, puts to rest early on the recording any doubts about his technical ability, handling with apparent ease the finger-busting Caprice 5. His playing is crisp, precise, and clean throughout the 10 selections. As the disc unfolds, Mouffe continues to dazzle with technique, but also gives the listener sensitivity and charm in pieces that aren’t so flaming. On Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s magnificent "Capriccio Diabolico", Mouffe demonstrates great control of color and dynamics, while yet again easily handling rapid arpeggios. Regondi’s "Fantasia, Op. 19" displays all the passion and mood swings the piece presents, with elegance. In the concluding 3 Caprices by Legnani, Mouffe weaves a spell on the listener through Caprice 15, paints a somber tone with Caprice 22, and ends with a lively rendition of Caprice 7. Jerome Mouffe is a young guitarist with prodigious talents, and it is safe to say he has surpassed his mentor Fisk in most every way, to the delight of this listener. Kirk Albrecht Minor7th.com |
Coming Soon!