This is a very old recording transfered onto CD. The recording dates ( 1930's )indicate that electrical recording was still pretty much in its infancy, so, EXPECT a lot of hissing, popping and scratching!Moyse ( 1889-1984 ? )was one of the most important flutists in history, if there were ever any... he studied with teachers like Taffanel, Hennebains and Gaubert, the founders of what we recognize as the French flute school today. Moyse though, had a character full of fire and energy, so he put into his music a technique and sound that is unique and dramatically different. Moyse is also known as one of the most important flute teachers there's ever been... many many great musicians alive today can be connected to Moyse in some way... i only wished i could have studied with him.
So here we have a CD of a very important virtuoso playing Mozart. The first concerto in G i can't say i like...but do bear in mind this is only one person's opinion. The opening tutti in the orchestra reminded me of a make shift band i used to be a part of... ( not that i actually play better now, really... ) the orchestra starts with the horns fishing here and there for right notes and rushes to a cadence, and then the Maestro comes in with a different tempo... the rest of the movt. is o.k. Taffanel's cadenza is rich and very interesting, perfect for Moyse to explore and muse upon. Things do get better. the slow movt. is lush and flows briskly. We get to listen close to the tone that Moyse is famous for. The Rondo is mostly clean and ok to listen to. Until you hear French horns...
The second concerto i like much much more. the strings are never really clean in their execution, but the horns do much better here. Moyse is wonderful in this recording. His rendition is strong, rich and with a voice like, singing tone most evident in the slow movt. The final allegro movt is technically brilliant on Moyse's part. there is direction, energy and good fun. The sliding and mushy strings bug me a little...
The tiny whinny oboes in the opening of the final concerto on this CD sounded almost sinister to me. Moyse though is always generous, and the sound of Laskine's harp added a nice touch of magic i really needed after some 40 mins... i don't mind that Mozart was apparently critical about the flute. This is good music to me. Moyse is full of musical sensitivity in this recording. Even more so in the slow movt. of this concerto. The duo cadenza is gorgeous, there's nothing like the combination of flute and harp. Credit to Graener's wonderful cadenza writting. The final fast movt. brings back the tiny oboes and mushy strings. And then the French horns... The exquisite Moyse/Laskine duet trades passages back and forth with the sledge hammer orchestra to the end.
the remastered CD is not touched up, or so i think. As much as i dislike the Orchestras, I still think this is a valuable CD for me to have. I constantly find myself searching into the past for reason and inspiration to move forward. Moyse always does the trick for me.
I recommend others: < the Recorded Legacy of Marcel Moyse>,
and < the Great Flautists > vol. I and II as companion listening to this CD.
Enjoy!
