Highly Stimulating Harpsichord music by Israeli composers - reviewed by GERALD FENECH '... admirably played ...'

This CD is my first foray into this fascinating world of Israeli harpsichord music which contains a pretty comprehensive cross section of composers ranging from the more traditional sounds of Paul Ben-Haim to the rather fierce modernism of Uri Brenner.

Minkin writes the notes herself and before you pop the CD into your player, I would certainly recommend that you read the booklet as it will provide an intriguing background to the music that is on offer here.

Alexander's Improvisations on a Persian Song are interesting to hear and although just a couple of minutes long, there is interest and variety. Braun's Four Keyboard Pieces are also quite varied with the first one, Grave, particularly atmospheric.

As I already hinted, Uri Brenner's work inhabits an altogether different sound world with some biting music especially apparent in 7-11 and Much Later, dating from 2006. The 7am Morning Prelude is particularly interesting for the strange use it makes of the solo harpsichord.

Dina Smorgonsky's contribution is also recent, with her Three Dances dating from 2007. Here there is significant emphasis on rhythm, and the work is pleasant enough to hear.

The final three composers on this well-filled Albany disc date from after the 1967 Six Day War with Benjamin Bar-Am's Petite Suite also including a part for recorder which is admirably played by Drora Bruck.

Sergiu Natra's Variations are rather hard to bring off but Marina Minkin is an excellent exponent who certainly does not baulk at the Herculean task ahead of her. She is also delightful in the Ben-Haim piece where she is joined by Sariel and Feinstein on mandolin and guitar respectively; this is a rousing way to conclude a highly stimulating and interesting disc which should arouse considerable interest in a rather neglected area of Israeli musical heritage.

HARPSICHORD

PAUL BEN-HAIM