Here’s another enterprising recital from crack virtuosa Sharon Bezaly and her team. The only drawback on the entire disc is the singing of Barbara Hendricks in Roussel’s two Ronsard settings (for voice and solo flute). At this stage in her career Hendricks’ vibrato has become extremely intrusive, making it impossible to achieve the purity of line that the music requires. Otherwise, ably assisted by Love Derwinger at the piano, Bezaly is in top form. None of this music is overly familiar, but all of it is worth getting to know. The big item is Widor’s Suite, a splendid piece that once again highlights what we have been missing in ignoring the composer’s non-organ works.
As to the shorter pieces, Pierre Sancan’s Sonatine of 1946 is delightful–very elegant, very “French”, and if not perhaps the ultimate in originality, none the worse for fitting so comfortably in the tradition from which it comes. Benjamin Godard’s Suite concludes the recital with an irresistible Valse. It’s salon music, but of the best kind, beautifully crafted and delightful to hear. The music isn’t as insanely virtuosic as in some of Bezaly’s other recitals, but this only serves to showcase her lovely tone and artful ability to float a melody. As usual, BIS’s sonics are extremely fine, save only that here the somewhat close miking occasionally picks up a bit too much breathing. Granted, when the soloist is a wind player it comes with the territory, and it’s nowhere near as annoying or inexcusable as, say, with a string quartet. So if you’re in the market for some splendid flute music, here’s your ticket. [5/7/2008]
