CD review time!

Today's review is Arild Plau's Concerto For Tuba And Strings. I repeat myself, but the disk is actually titled "Tuba Carnival" and I need to organize my disks in my own weird way, so I'll file it under Mr. Plau's name, despite the fact that this is a recital disk for Oystein Baadsvik, the Norwegian tuba virtuoso.

Except for the opening work, we hear Mr. Baadsvik accompanied by a small string orchestra (Musica Vitae) and most of the works are arrangements expressly for him rather than originals. "Fnugg", an unaccompanied item, opens the disk. Written by Mr. Baadsvik, it's a rather colorless, droning exploration of the tuba's ability to produce multiphonics (it turns out, when you sing a note as you play a brass instrument, the combination of two different notes can produce a third note for some interesting harmonics). In a way, this piece sets the tone for the disk--Mr. Baadsvik seems interested in showing off his considerable technical facility at the expense of the music itself.

The most obvious examples of his efforts to impress us are his performances of Antonio Vivaldi's "Winter" violin concerto from "The Four Seasons" and Vittorio Monti's Gypsy-flavored violin piece, "Csardas". Hearing a tuba play these well-known fiddle pieces is like watching a dog dressed up in a tutu, dancing ballet. It's a memorable achievement, but the artistry is lost and the whole thing is just a bit unnatural. Boy, this guy can play, but his taste needs to be called into question.

The other works that have been adapted for Mr. Baadsvik's tuba feature a pleasant jig, a couple of excerpts of fellow Norwegian Edvard Grieg's work, and another awkward bit: an homage to J.S. Bach (harpsichord continuo with a tuba? huh?). It's almost a relief to hear Jean-Baptiste Arban's famous trumpet variations on "The Carnival Of Venice", which is a much better fit for the tuba. Mr. Plau's concerto forms the centerpiece of the disk and it's a lovely bit of fluff where the orchestra shows a better feel for lyricism than the soloist. The string writing shows a mastery of the form. Overall, this disk is a disappointment, emphasizing shallow technique over artistry and musicianship.

4 out of 10

CDs listened to today:

• Prince: Chaos And Disorder
• Cuong Vu: Vu-Tet
• Luigi Nono: Como una ola de fuerza y luz
• Sonic Youth: Goo