Raphaella SMITS

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RECORDINGS -CD ACR -CD Walter-Brouwer-Henderickx -CD Mertz-Giuliani2 -CD Spanish Folksongs -CD Legnani-Sor -CD Manjon -CD Vila-Lobos a.o. -CD Weiss-Bach -CD Sor-Coste -CD 20th Century -CD Mertz-Giuliani -LP Tedesco -LP Coste -LP Sor-Kaufmann -LP Dowland -LP Blauwe Steen

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NEDERLANDSE
VERSIE

PROGRAM

Napoleon COSTE (1805-1883)

Side A
La Source du Lyson (Opus 47):
- Introduction
- Rondeau villageois

Etude à Mr. Holm de Copenhague (Opus 38, No 7)

Grande Sérénade, à Mr. de Makaroff (Opus 30):
- Marche et Choeur de Pélerins
- Bolero

Side B
Les Soirées d'Auteuil, from Souvenirs, Sept Morceaux Episodiques (Opus 23):
- Sérénade

Récréation du Guitariste (Opus 51, No 4):
- Andantino

Le Zuyderzée, from Souvenirs, Sept Morceaux Episodiques (Opus 20):
- Ballade

La Vallée d'Ornans, from Souvenirs, Sept Morceaux Episodiques (Opus 17):
- Cantabile
- Rondo des Montagnards


FEATURES

artist: Raphaella Smits, guitar
titel:
RAPHAELLA SMITS AT PRIORIJ CORSENDONK
composers:
Napoleon COSTE
label: Bremberg Records, BE
LP number: DOR1
recorded: at Priorij Corsendonk, Oud-Turnhout, BE, December 1983
instrument : 8-string guitar by John Gilbert (USA) (1980)
total duration:
illustration: Raphaella Smits, photo by Rob Koop


RAPHAELLA SMITS AT PRIORIJ CORSENDONK
Raphaella SMITS plays Napoleon COSTE.

PROGRAM
FEATURES
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
ABOUT THIS RECORDING
WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SAY

This LP (long playing) is not available anymore. It has become a valuable collectors item!


ABOUT THE COMPOSER

Napoleon COSTE was born in 1805, son of of a former officer in Napoleon Bonaparte's Imperial Army. He started his career in Valencienne but soon went to Paris where he met all great guitarists of that time: Aguado, Carcassi, Carulli and Sor.
After he broke his arm in 1863 het stopped performing but went on teaching and composing. At his death in 1883 he left behind 53 numbered compositions, several works without opus number, and a revised edition of Sor's Methode, adapted to the seven-string guitar, Coste's favourite instrument.


ABOUT THIS RECORDING

The vibrations of Raphaella Smits' guitar playing remained at the Corsendonk Priory after a few concerts. Constructive talks with Dorian van der Brempt, the manager then, have let to program the First International Guitar Happening.
This summercourse with José Tomas and Raphaella Smits was held from August 1 to 9 at the former cloister, now known as the Corsendonk Priory Hotel and Conference Center.
This cultural event was not subsidized. With the help of 'Corsendonk Brewery' and 'Miko Coffee' Raphaella Smits realized this first recording of Napoleon Coste's work. All profits of this solo LP were integrally used to finance the guitar course.


WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SAY

Jose Tomas said:
"Raphaella's interpretations testify to a deep respect for musical literature, and to a close study of it. Her exquisite sensitivity is supported by a first-rate technique, distinguished by precision and richness of tone, full of nuances."

Françoise-Emmanuelle Denis from the magazine<Guitare d'hier, Guitare d'aujourd'hui> wrote:
"La musique est superbe et interprétée avec beaucoup de sensibilité et de musicalité par Raphaella Smits. Un disque à acquérir!" 

Colin Cooper from <Classical Guitar> wrote:
"It's all a question of style, really, and Raphaella Smits has plenty, never once putting a finger wrong in that respect. Her approach is of that refreshingly straightforward modern sort: she observes what is there and with an excellent musical imagination inserts what is not." 

François Dry from <Les Cahiers de la Guitare> wrote:
"I y a un style Coste aisément reconnaissable. Raphaella Smits est l'interprète idéale pour ce répertoire qui est en outre plein de sensibilité.
Son jeu extrêmement nuancé est basé sur une lecture très attentive de la partition. Grâce à de très bons moyens techniques Smits parvient à tirer le maximum d'intérêt de ces pièces qui prennent toute leur valeur sous ses doigts. N'est-ce pas le propre des grands interprètes?"

Freddy Duffeleer from the guitar magazine<'t Fretje> wrote:
"The album gives a clear overview of the different moods that Coste has put in his compositions. They go from melodious and simple through high level technical passages. All played on the highest possible level by Raphaella Smits. A recording of international standard." 


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