Vittorio Giannini

[schweitzeralan]

I recently acquired the Naxos recording of Vittorio Giannini's Piano Concerto and his 4th Symphony.  I find that both works are basically romantic, although the 4th Symphony embraces a somewhat limited modernist tendency.  Judging from my initial listenings plus the two reviews on Amazon, the Concerto was more uncompromising in its late 19th, early 20th century style, whereas the symphony was conceived in a serious, tightly controlled structure that suggests considerable depth.  I discovered Giannini when I was searching for Cresto's Piano Sonata on the Phoenix label with Tatjana Rankovich performing.  Giannini's Sonata was also included.  I was most inpressed by the intensity of Giannini's pianistic work; it was quite intense, very emotional, and its sincerety of expression, not unlike the Symphony with which I'm becoming more familiar, is similar to many works of Barber. I read that Giannini was quite active and involved in the musical world on many levels; yet his compositions were  underplayed in public; and, there were very few recordings until the last several years.  His works were considered too conservative, too romantic during  the mid to late 20the century when "progressive," modernist, or avant garde techniques prevailed. Recommended.

[karlhenning]

By coincidence, I was revisiting his Third Symphony (for band) last night.  We played this in an all-state band when I was in high school, so I listen to it with some fondness.  I think the middle movements stronger musically than the outer pair, but I am certainly keen to listen to more of his music.

[Dundonnell]

I agree wholeheartedly with both of you

[donaldopato]

As for the Piano Concerto/Symphony # 4 disc, I found the symphony a much more rewarding listen than the overtly Rachmaninoff-like concerto. The symphony is much more structured and organic plus has some moving and dramatic sections. The central "Sostenuto e calmo" movement is quite lovely and dramatic; the finale sums the work up nicely.

The concerto: just a lot of note spinning and crashing chords, without Rachmaninoff's underlying darkness and Russian soul.

Definitely a symphony worth exploring.

[Elnimio]

I disagree with the above comment. I find his concerto to be incredibly engaging, and soaring with beautiful melodies. I definitely like it better than any of Rach's concertos, even if he was inspired by them.