In light of Benita Meshulam’s colorful, bracingly idiomatic Albeniz and Granados recordings, it comes as no surprise that she’s also technically and temperamentally at home with Manuel de Falla’s piano music. Her vivid rhythmic sense and natural way of “orchestrating” the composer’s often-busy textures at the keyboard never fail to delight the ear. Listen to how the inner voices and elaborate accompaniments nonchalantly fall into place in the Danza from La Vida Breve, how effortlessly Meshulam untangles the gnarly polyphonic webs in the ambitious Fantasia Baetica, or notice the long-lined sweep with which she sustains the rambling Allegro de concierto. And how about the slight variations in touch and accent that pump fresh blood into the well-worn Ritual Fire Dance? Although the engineering does not quite mirror the big, juicy sonority Meshulam unleashes in front of an audience (and it’s well worth hearing her in concert), who’s to complain at Brilliant Classics’ super-budget asking price? If you want Falla’s piano music complete, look no further. [4/6/2005]
