RODRIGO: “CONCIERTO DE ARANJUEZ”; MANUEL MORENO-BUENDIA: SUITE...

RODRIGO: “CONCIERTO DE ARANJUEZ”; MANUEL MORENO-BUENDIA: SUITE CONCERTANTE. Marisa Robles, harp. Charles Dutoit conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra. London 411 738-1. The news here is not Rodrigo’s recast guitar concerto--legendary harpist Nicanor Zabaleta arranged it and recorded it years ago. The real curiosity is the five-movement suite on the other side. According to Robles’ notes, Moreno-Buendia wrote it for her in 1958. The derivative, mildly interesting Suite (sounding at times more like Debussy or Janacek than anything from Spain) relies heavily on a richly scored orchestral accompaniment and not, ironically, on the soloist. Dutoit, aided by the London engineers, makes the most of his part. Robles carries through gamely with hers. The arrangement of the Rodrigo concerto will never replace the original, yet Robles is thoroughly convincing in a brightly assayed performance.