RODRIGO: “CONCIERTO DE ARANJUEZ,” “FANTASIA PARA UN...

RODRIGO: “CONCIERTO DE ARANJUEZ,” “FANTASIA PARA UN GENTILHOMBRE,” “SONATA A LA ESPANOLA,” “EN LOS TRIGALES,” “PASTORALE.” Ernesto Bitteti, guitar; Antoni Ros-Marba conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra. EMI CDC 7 49050 2 (compact disc). Bitteti’s liquid, sinuous playing of the two concerted works seems made for CD, with lots of little slides and timbral effects clearly projected over the accompaniment, thanks to artificially imposed balances. The supple extravagances of Bitteti’s performance carry over to Ros-Marba and the elegant-sounding Philharmonia in an overtly interpreted account. Sometimes one longs for something more direct and forthright, but, though highly perfumed, the performances are also individual and fresh--the studio balances in the orchestra make the accompaniment sound almost rescored in places. The three solo works show a more restrained side of Bitteti.