Album

When not at his day job as president and CEO of the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Roberto Diaz is a violist of international reputation. He has an international reputation because, as this recital shows, Diaz is also a violist with impeccable taste and a prodigious technique. In 12 transcriptions by English viola virtuoso William Primrose, Diaz is never less than consummately refined and never less than essentially flawless. His tone is superbly molded, his phrasing is superbly sculpted, and his intonation is right on the sweet spot. In performance after performance on the 2004 recording, Diaz is consistently impressive, from the polished sensuality of the Nocturne from Borodin's Second String Quartet through the incandescent pyrotechnics of the La Campanella from Paganini's Second Violin Concerto to the distilled longing of "None but the lonely heart" by Tchaikovsky. It often happens that a recital of transcriptions can be too much for straight-through listening, but Diaz's not only can this recital stand a straight-through listening, it demands encores of favorite tracks. How about cuing that ethereal performance of the Adagietto from Bizet's L'Arlésienne Suite No. 1 again, Mr. DJ? Recorded in the CBC's Glenn Gould Studios in Toronto, Naxos' sound is warmer than usual with a real sense of air around the instruments.

© James Leonard, All Music Guide

CD 1
Alexander Borodin Composer Nocturne for String Orchestra (arranged by M.Sargent from String Quartet No.2) Work Robert Koenig Piano, Roberto Diaz Viola
1	Nocturne for String Orchestra (arranged by M.Sargent from String Quartet No.2)	6:23			$0.99
Franz Peter Schubert Composer Am Tage aller Seelen (Litanei auf das Fest aller Seelen), D.343 Work Robert Koenig Piano, Roberto Diaz Viola
2	Am Tage aller Seelen (Litanei auf das Fest aller Seelen), D.343 (arr. viola and piano)	4:25			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Notturno for Viola and Piano in D (after the String Trio, Op.8), Op.42 Work 12:38 Robert Koenig Piano, Roberto Diaz Viola
3	1.Marcia: Allegro	2:17			$0.99
4	2.Adagio	7:12			$1.49
5	3.Minuetto and Trio: Allegretto	3:09			$0.99
Richard Wagner Composer Wesendonk Lieder, WWV91...Wesendonk Lieder, WWV91 (arr. viola and piano) Work Robert Koenig Piano, Roberto Diaz Viola
6	5.Traume: Sag, welch wunderbare Traume	3:44			$0.99
Julián Aguirre Composer Huella, canción argentina for piano, Op.49 Work Robert Koenig Piano, Roberto Diaz Viola
7	Huella, canción argentina for piano, Op.49 (arr. viola and piano)	2:34			$0.99
Flausino Vale Composer Ao Pé Da Fogueira Work Robert Koenig Piano, Roberto Diaz Viola
8	Ao Pé Da Fogueira	1:35			$0.99
Niccolò Paganini Composer Violin Concerto No.2 in B-, Op.7 ('La campanella')...Violin Concerto No.2 in B-, Op.7 ('La campanella'; arr. violin and piano) Work Robert Koenig Piano, Roberto Diaz Viola
9	3.Rondo ('La Campanella')	5:22			$0.99
Heitor Villa-Lobos Composer Bachianas Brasileiras No.5, for voice and 8 cellos, A.389...Bachianas Brasileiras No.5, for voice and 8 cellos, A.389 (arr. viola and piano) Work Robert Koenig Piano, Roberto Diaz Viola
10	1.Aria (Cantilena)	5:22			$0.99
Georges Bizet Composer L' Arlésienne Suite No.1 (from the incidental music)...L' Arlésienne Suite No.1 (from the incidental music; arr. violin and piano) Work Robert Koenig Piano, Roberto Diaz Viola
11	3.Adagietto (arr. viola and piano)	2:37			$0.99
Efrem Zimbalist Composer Sarasateana for viola & piano Work 15:54 Robert Koenig Piano, Roberto Diaz Viola
12	Tango: Allegro moderato	3:14			$0.99
13	Polo: Allegro moderato	4:19			$0.99
14	Malagueña: Amabile	4:32			$0.99
15	Zapateado: Allegro moderato	3:49			$0.99
Pyotr Ilich Tchaikovsky Composer 6 Romances, Op.6...6 Romances, Op.6 (arr. viola and piano) Work Robert Koenig Piano, Roberto Diaz Viola
16	6.None but the Lonely Heart	2:33			$0.99
Johannes Brahms Composer 5 Lieder, for low voice, Op.105...5 Lieder, for low voice, Op.105 (arr. viola and orchestra) Work Robert Koenig Piano, Roberto Diaz Viola
17	1.Wie Melodien zieht es mir	2:09			$0.99