Auber Violin Concerto and Overtures from Naxos

[Sharkkb8]

The 2nd volume of Auber overtures from Naxos will also contain a Violin Concerto.  Don't see it as yet at Presto, but Amazon UK and Amazon USA both show a 10 July release date.  IMSLP suggests this is a 3-movement 10-minute affair dating from 1808 (right smack at the beginning of UC's general guideline), so one might anticipate a pleasant bon-bon more than anything else.  Several other opera overtures on the disc, as well, of course, dating mainly from the 1820's.

The second volume in this series (Volume 1 is on 8.574005) continues to explore little-known
examples of Auber's elegant and refined operatic music. Julie was his first stage work, its fantasialike
beauty foreshadowing the operas, opéras-comiques and lyric dramas to come. Striking
melodies and haunting episodes abound in these overtures and entr'actes, and there is restrained
yet fragrant Iberian colour in the overture to Léocadie. The Violin Concerto is lightly scored and
gentle, with a tarantella-like finale full of folk vitality.

https://imslp.org/wiki/Violin_Concerto_in_D_major_(Auber%2C_Daniel_François_Esprit)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Overtures-2-Cepická/dp/B088N3TKPS/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Overtures+2+auber&qid=1591052456&s=music&sr=1-1-catcorr

https://www.amazon.com/Overtures-2-Auber-Cepicka-Salvi/dp/B088N3TKPS/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=auber+overtures&qid=1591052005&sr=8-5i

https://naxosdirect.co.uk/items/daniel-francois-esprit-auber-overtures-vol-2-le-concert-à-la-cour-fiorella-julie-leocadie-couvin-violin-concerto-541746

[Alan Howe]

Now that's what I call an attractive release. Thanks!

[Mark Thomas]

A recording of a modest cello concerto of similar vintage by Auber, played by Jascha Silberstein with L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande under Richard Bonynge has been around for years on various releases since it first appeared on a Decca LP. It's a delicious  confection and I hope that this Violin Concerto will prove to be as attractive.

[Joachim Raff]

 
This latest disc is a major disappointment. If you like your Auber on a minute scale then you might be able get some enjoyment. These performances certainly do not satisfy and are poles apart from Richard Bonynge and Paul Parry. The 'Violin Concerto' is a chamber piece and background music at the best. Even when things get going in the Fiorella Overture one gets a disappointing feeling that the orchestra is simply not up to the task. There is more verve, splendour in a Tramp's vest. The Naxos sound sounds dry which tends to make the performances even sound worse. This recording is a miss from me. Just a shame.   

[Alan Howe]

Thanks for the warning!

[DarioSalviConductor]

I am sorry Joachim you do not like my record. I agree about the dryness of the sound (a thing we improved on in Volume 3) - I of course disagree on the rest. I adhered very strictly to Auber's metronome markings - which are very unusual for today's taste and make the music have less depth that one would expect. Anyway I hope I will convince you more in Volume 3. Take care and thanks anyway.

[eschiss1]

As it's from 1808ish I think? that may be a put-off for some members of this forum, I suppose... or not, I do not know.

[sdtom]

There is nothing wrong with the recordings at all. My only complaint is the digital recording I have. Naxos use to send me CD's which have a superior sound in my Marantz player but...