Casella vs. Malipiero vs. Pizzetti: Italian Instrumental Inferno!

[kyjo]

Apologies for the corny subtitle of this poll; I just thought since all three composers concentrated on instrumental music and "inferno" fit the bill for another word starting with "i".....

Some may be wondering my I omitted Respighi from this poll (he was part of the Generation of 1880 along with these three composers). Well, I left him out for the simple fact that I thought he might win too easily! As a result, I realize this poll won't get as much attention, but us cool kids will participate! And, by the way, if you're not familiar with all three of these composers' music, I have two things to say to you:

1. GET FAMILIAR WITH IT! NOW!

and

2. DON'T VOTE!

(With all due respect, of course. )

Anyways, I voted for Casella. I love him because he covered so much stylistic ground, including the hyper-romantic, Mahlerian Symphonies 1 and 2, the light neoclassicism of Scarlattiana, the edgy, motoric rhythmicism of the Concerto for Strings, Timpani and Percussion, and, last but not least, the communicative, modern tonal style of the masterful Symphony no. 3, a most moving work. On of the greatest works of the 20th century IMO and, if you haven't heard it, you know what I'm gonna say ......

Malipiero I have a little more trouble with. I adore the early symphonies (up to no. 4, I guess), but the later ones are quite elusive to me (shades of Brian). I don't dislike them, but I often have trouble seeing where they are going. None of the symphonies are particularly well-served by the Moscow SO, who, under de Almeida recorded the only available cycle of the Malipiero symphonies. Imagine what Noseda (who worked wonders with Casella) could do with his orchestral music!

I love what I've heard of Pizzetti's music, but there's simply not enough of his music available for me to fairly vote for him. We're still missing major works such as his only Symphony and his VC. His music also badly cries out for the Noseda treatment.

[Mirror Image]

Easy vote for me: Casella based almost solely on his Sinfonia (Symphony No. 3), Cello Concerto, and Violin Concerto. Don't think too much of Pizzetti and I do like some of Malipiero's music but not enough to give him a solid vote.

[kyjo]

Easy vote for me: Casella based almost solely on his Sinfonia (Symphony No. 3, Cello Concerto, and Violin Concerto. Don't think too much of Pizzetti and I do like some of Malipiero's music but not enough to give him a solid vote.

I don't see why you couldn't think much of this amazing disc:

[Mirror Image]

I don't see why you couldn't think much of this amazing disc:

I like, and own, that disc, Kyle but his music doesn't tug at my heart or leave intellectually stimulated when I hear it. His music is a far cry from the more intimate, troubled world of Casella.

[Mirror Image]

Let me also say to you, Kyle, that you shouldn't take my comments about a composer you like to heart, because, more chances than not, I've already heard enough of the composer's music to justify a fairly level-headed criticism. This said, I didn't say that I didn't enjoy Pizzetti's music, because I certainly do, but since this is a poll and since he's up against my favorite Italian composer Casella, he didn't stand a chance in hell.

[kyjo]

Let me also say to you, Kyle, that you shouldn't take my comments about a composer you like to heart, because, more chances than not, I've already heard enough of the composer's music to justify a fairly level-headed criticism. This said, I didn't say that I didn't enjoy Pizzetti's music, because I certainly do, but since this is a poll and since he's up against my favorite Italian composer Casella, he didn't stand a chance in hell.

I'm not criticizing you for choosing Casella over Pizzetti (which I did, after all); I guess I just took you saying that you "didn't think much" of Pizzetti's music a little too seriously. Oh, and I don't doubt that you've heard enough of Pizzetti's music to justify your criticisms. You always do your homework.

[Mirror Image]

I'm not criticizing you for choosing Casella over Pizzetti (which I did, after all); I guess I just took you saying that you "didn't think much" of Pizzetti's music a little too seriously. Oh, and I don't doubt that you've heard enough of Pizzetti's music to justify your criticisms. You always do your homework.

Yes, you took my opinion a little too seriously. But it's cool, I understand your intent and know you champion lesser-known composers and feel somehow compelled to defend them which there's nothing wrong with that at all.

This said, one listen to the slow movement of Casella's Cello Concerto, for example, pushes everything I've heard by Pizzetti to the wayside. Not that he's a horrible composer (far from it), but I made that emotional connection with Casella and never could find a connection with Pizzetti or Malipiero.

[Daverz]

I'm still exploring Casella and Malipiero.  Casella's Concerto for Orchestra is quite a good one (in the set of "Concertos for Orchestra not written by Bartok").  I only have a couple choral works by Mr. Pizetti in my collection.

Interesting Naxos notes on Casella:

http://www.naxos.com/mainsite/blurbs_reviews.asp?item_code=8.572415&catNum=572415&filetype=About%20this%20Recording&language=English