Composer Miguel Astor on his piece Adriana and my CD

  "Venezuela" on Gramophone Magazine October 2010

 

  Piano Music of Venezuela Price: £12.99 Availability: In stock    
  By chance, heard this lady being interviewed and playing on Radio4's 'Woman's Hour'. Bought the CD on the strength of that. 
Delighted with the variety, and with the consistently confident performance, of every track. 
Particularly notable are track 8 - Maria Luisa Escobar, Noche de luna en Altamira, (Nocturne-Waltz)- which contains a watery cadenza that eclipses even Liszt's Liebestraum; and track 25 - Heraclio Fernandez, El Diablo suelto (Waltz-Joropo) - which the piano was lucky to survive! 
The sleeve notes, written by Clara herself, are comprehensive and in an appealing "Venglish". 
Highly recommended.

 VENEZUELA: Clara Rodriguez

Nimbus Alliance NI 6122

Pianist Rodriguez’s latest excursion through the music of her homeland encompasses 25 works from 18 composers, so one expects sweet little lollipops.

There are plenty of them, but waltzes from the likes of Federico Vollmer or Pdero Elias Gutierrez have a melodic subtlety to delight Debussy.

Federico Ruiz offers jazzy urbanity and virtuoso display abounds, admirably presented by Rodriguez.

 

Classical Music Magazine

 

"Imagine buying a box of chocolates which contains all your favourite centres, every one soft and sweet, gooey and delicious. Yes, just imagine it. A lovely thought, isn’t it? Now you have that idea in your mind, imagine a collection of delectable musical sweetmeats, all of which sit comfortably on the ear, are colourful and have an easy-going gait. That is exactly what this collection of pieces by Venezuelan composers is: 25 soft centres with a rich coating of schmaltz. Mmmmmmmmmmmm. I’m sure you’re licking your lips at the mere thought of this. Here, there are many pieces with the subtitle joropo, which is a national dance, and there are many waltzes. 

  
Ms Rodriguez is a player with spirit, she understands and obviously loves this music. Her performances are full of charm and wit, her light touch is admirably suited to the music.
  
 It’s simply delightful and very, very pleasing. Entertainment music of the very best kind and it is very good and enjoyable but to be sampled rather than listened to in one sitting. The recorded sound is excellent, very bright, which this music needs, and the piano is set in a pleasing space where the sound can breathe. At the end of a long and arduous day this is exactly what one wants to help one relax and take stock.

Bob Briggs 
  
Well worth having."

P.S. A tropical/latin country has a different feel to offer. Difficult to imagine when you are in Europe.

Clara