VIVALDI: Double Concerto for 2 guitars, strings & continuo in G major RV 532; Trio Sonata in C major RV 82; Concerto for guitar, string & continuo in D major RV 93; Trio Sonata in B minor RV 85; Concerto for guitar, strings & continuo in C major RV 425; WEISS: Sonata in A major for two guitars – The Katona Twins, guitars/Carducci String Quartet/Jeroen van Keulen, doublebass – Channel Classics Multichannel SACD CCS SA 23707, 62:31 ****:
Initially I had thought about this release, “Oh, another Vivaldi concerto program.” But it didn’t take long to be swayed by the brilliant performances of these mostly “hit” concertos involving guitars, along with the clarity of all the instrumental lines in these chamber-like versions with just string quartet and occasionally also doublebass – instead of the usual string orchestra. The Hungarian guitar duo have played together professionally since they were ten, and have performed thruout the world. This is their fifth SACD for Channel Classics.
Initially I had thought about this release, “Oh, another Vivaldi concerto program.” But it didn’t take long to be swayed by the brilliant performances of these mostly “hit” concertos involving guitars, along with the clarity of all the instrumental lines in these chamber-like versions with just string quartet and occasionally also doublebass – instead of the usual string orchestra. The Hungarian guitar duo have played together professionally since they were ten, and have performed thruout the world. This is their fifth SACD for Channel Classics.
One reason for the guitar lines sounding clearer might be that the Katonas used a method of playing similar to that used by mandolinists in some of these concertos. It made their guitars stand out more even though playing an octave lower than the mandolins would. The two Trio Sonatas originally featured violin and lute and the Katonas arranged them for two guitars. Weiss was an important composer for the lute at the time of J.S. Bach. Some of his Sonata for two lutes had to be reconstructed, and it was then arranged for two guitars by the Katonas, providing the first complete hearing of a lovely little four-movement work by Weiss to close out the SACD.
– John Sunier
