In reviewing Naxos’ former, relatively uninteresting recording of La Coronela (with the Aguascalientes Symphony Orchestra led by Enrique Barrios), I wrote “And as for Gisèle Ben-Dor’s superb recording with the similarly fine Santa Barbara Symphony on Koch, about two seconds into the opening number (Los Privilegiados) it’s clear that her swifter tempos, punchier accents, tighter rhythm, and superior wind soloists guarantee a more idiomatic Revueltas experience.” Well, here she is now on Naxos. Yes, the work is not great Revueltas; it was left extremely incomplete at his death and assembled editorially from a variety of sources, but this performance (originally released on Koch) makes the best possible case for it. The shorter couplings, vintage Revueltas indeed, are fabulously played and conducted as well, so if you’re a fan of this composer, frustrated to date by the unavailability of this major release, take heart and snap this up without delay. [8/5/2010]
