The imaginative and innovative composer and arranger Carlos Salzedo is well-served by this disc of colorful duets, brilliantly performed by the Salzedo Harp Duo and recorded with fine sound by Azica. There is only one dubious aspect of this CD worth mentioning, namely, that of the 27 tracks, only 10 are Salzedo originals; the rest are his transcriptions of familiar keyboard pieces by Bach, Rameau,
Debussy, Mendelssohn, and other composers. Granted, the music is charming and pleasant, but in seeking out Salzedo, one expects to hear his marvelous techniques and special timbral effects; these are always on display in his own compositions, but they are mostly lacking in the arrangements, as if out of too much respect or an unwillingness to offend. Of these selections, only Mendelssohn's Spinning Song and the Spanish Dance No. 5 by
Granados get any added electricity. But when Salzedo is in his element, the sparks fly -- few harp pieces are as vivid and entertaining as his Rumba, Steel, Chanson dans la nuit, and the series of six picturesque miniatures, Short Stories. Harpists Nancy Lendrim and Jody Guin are both technically accomplished and expressive players, and their debut recording is a promising beginning for this highly talented and sympathetic duo.