The combination of recorder and classical guitar is popular and familiar to commercial recording. Another recent addition to the catalogue is Song Without Words (ABC Classics 476 5249), featuring guitarist Karin Schaupp and recorder player Genevieve Lacey.
Michala Petri is one of today’s leading instrumentalists. The amazing capabilities of the recorder in the hands of a virtuoso are admirably demonstrated in Ms. Petri’s rendition of the Albert Lorentz variations for solo recorder (Philips 6514199). Lars Hannibal is a musician well qualified to partner Ms. Petri in this recording of duets. He studied guitar at the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus and lute with Toyohiko Satoh in The Hague.
On the review disc the highly complementary nature of the two musicians is immediately evident. The guitar playing, essentially accompaniment, is never dominant; neither is it unnecessarily subdued or secondary. Mr. Hannibal manages the right balance between attack and empathy for his partner.
It is interesting to note that five different recorders are used on this recording; the guitar played by Lars Hannibal is a fine Ignacio Fleta made in 1961. My overall impression of the review disc is one of outstanding musicianship, great duo playing and a most enjoyable programme.
That said, some may require a period of adjustment before full appreciation of the recorder’s role in interpreting certain of the programme items is realised; others may have no problem with this combination. - Zane Turner
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