José Serebrier recorded his suite from Carmen, called “Carmen Symphony”, for BIS. This wind band version works perfectly well, and the arrangement is as effective as ever. But Serebrier’s job as arranger doesn’t end there. It includes Revueltas’ Mexican Dance (worked up from a bit of the film score to Redes, or “Nets”), and a rather less interesting original composition based on Edvard Munch’s celebrated painting “The Scream”, called Night Cry. I have to confess that I have never found the notion of hearing Munch’s painting particularly appealing, and Serebrier’s desultory piece does nothing to change my mind.
The two remaining works, however, are splendid. Ginastera’s Estancia Suite does seem to miss its strings, especially in the gentler movements, but the concluding Malambo is sensational as played here. Villa-Lobos’ Concerto Grosso for Wind Quartet and Wind Orchestra is an important late work, and it’s great to have it readily available. Serebrier brings the program to a close with a rousing encore: The Stars and Stripes Forever, and the audience goes predictably crazy. The sonics are good for a live band concert, without too much extraneous noise, though a touch limited on top. This was fun! [3/13/2008]
