About
Lalo - BBC PO, Tortelier
Yan Pascal Tortelier opens with a marvellously rumbustious account of the Le Roi d'Ys Overture, with its melodramatic brass and luscious cello solo, and includes an equally fine account of the splendid orchestral Scherzo. But the main value of this disc is Olivier Charlier's seductive accounts of the two concertante works (both written for Sarasate). The Violin Concerto is engagingly songful and ought to be better known, but the real find is the Concerto russe, in essence a sister work to the Symphonie espagnole, but with Slavic rather than sultry Spanish inspiration. The Intermezzo has witty offbeat comments from the timpani and there is a sparkling finale introducing two more striking ideas. Charlier is obviously in his element throughout both works, relishing their lyricism. Tortelier - with the help of Lalo - provides a vivid orchestral backcloth and the opulent, well-balanced Chandos recording adds to the listener's pleasure.
The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs