(Gulp-- starting a new topic- I couldn't find an existing thread)
Ildebrando Pizzetti-- of the same generation as Malipierio (who I need to learn more about ) and Respighi (an old friend)
I picked up the Hyperion disc of his orchestral works from our library :
http://www.amazon.com/Pizzetti-Preludio-Preludii-Pisanella-Orchestral/dp/B000031WGI/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1241130038&sr=1-6
I swear I can't stop listening to it. I see a mixture of Respighi, Debussy, and bursts of folky-Vaughan Williams with a very tight sense of austerity and structure. Maybe some Barber in the mix. I'm not sure if I've ever had my itches for orchestral color AND structure scratched at the same time before this effectively.
Any other fans out there? I KNOW I'll be wearing this one out.
I hadn't even heard of the chap before your thread, but he is now something for me to look out for. Stylistically, he sounds right up my alley :) Thanks for the disc recommendation, too!
I think that I wrote about Pizzetti some time ago in the thread on Italian composers-
http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,2677.0.html
I said then that I was intrigued to hear Pizzetti's Symphony(which has not been recorded) and the Violin Concerto(which has been promised by Naxos). The Hyperion disc is a good introduction and there have been collections on Marco Polo and on Naxos which have been interesting but the much vaunted Concerto dell' Estate-on the recent Naxos disc-was a little disappointing for me. Respighi did that kind of thing so much better; although the choice by Naxos of a Greek orchestra seemed perverse ???
I wonder if the best of Pizzetti is indeed in his operas ("Murder in the Cathedral") and in the wonderful unaccompanied choral works-like the Messa di Requiem.
On the evidence so far Pizzetti does not seem the equal of either Respighi or Malipiero. I will be happy to be proved wrong however :)
May I suggest changing the name to "Pizzetti's Piazza", if that's how you spell it?
I have been itching to hear his SQs. I hear No2 from the 20s has some LvB/Faure to it.
A recent review of the reissued Hyperion Pizzetti disc-
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2009/May09/Pizzetti_cdh55329.htm
I'm obviously late to this party, but Pizzetti has been flying under my radar for a few years. I was reading about the "Generation of 1880" and his name along with some of my other favorite Italian composers appeared. I bought the Vanska disc tonight, so I hope to be digging into his music soon.
I should follow up on my post - that Hyperion disc was exceptional both in its recording but also the music it presents. I find nothing lacking when comparing it to Casella, who the composer has more similarities to than the distinctive Malipiero. His chamber music was also a real discovery - very fine music in a genre I do not readily associate Romantic/post-Romantic Italians in.
Quote from: Lethe Dmitriyevich Shostakovich on April 12, 2011, 08:35:42 PM
I should follow up on my post - that Hyperion disc was exceptional both in its recording but also the music it presents. I find nothing lacking when comparing it to Casella, who the composer has more similarities to than the distinctive Malipiero. His chamber music was also a real discovery - very fine music in a genre I do not readily associate Romantic/post-Romantic Italians in.
Thanks Sarah this is good to hear.
Aha! The Pizzetti thead!
Pizzetti cds I HAVE enjoyed:
Messa di Requiem (etc)
The Hyperion cd is then one that got the attention & an award,but I think the Chandos cd is very good,too.Also,it includes some nice fill ups. Lovely! :)
'Canti della stagione alta'. I have the Marco Polo recording & I personally love this work & have played it over & over again,when I'm in the mood for lush,over the top late romantic music for piano & orchestra. Despite the label,the recording & performance is very good,at least to my ears! :)
The Hyperion cd with Osmo Vanska conducting is fantastic,imho,as they say! :)
'Fedra',the compete opera recording on the Accord label is an exciting discovery. Lush,dramatic orchestration & some wonderful writing for voices. :) I first taped this opera from the radio on ye olde C90 cassettes (well some fools got to use them!). I am impressed by this opera,but not by Accord shooting themselves in the foot by not providing a translation of the libretto. That's going to really help restore Pizzetti's reputation as an opera composer! >:( The Bounders!!!!
Pizzetti cds I have NOT enjoyed:
The Naxos cd of the 'Concerto dell'estate is not unpleasant,but as has been observed elsewhere,it's a bit like Respighi without any good tunes or truly memorable ideas! A crashing disappointment,to put it bluntly! :(
Tish tush ::)
You need to hear the lovely Violin Concerto. I think that it is Pizzetti's orchestral masterpiece :) Naxos promised a recording a few years ago but no sign so far :(
A kind member provided me with a recording together with the Cello and Harp Concertos :) :)
Fedra now! Wonderful,exciting,passionate music & an absolutely first rate performance & recording! I remember taping this Montpelier performance of the radio & being 'grabbed' by it. One of the singers mentioned in an article that it had been recorded. It was available on a website,but the commercial release from Accord took a while! Sometimes they take a while! :( >:( Still,it was worth it & at a reasonable price! :)
I see that Accord are now advertising a brand new recording (also Montpelier,I believe) of Bernard Herrmann's opera 'Wuthering Heights' (Accord 3cds)......in French!!! Sounds a bit strange,but I listen to French radio in the day & it might sound good (AND sexy! ;D)? I have the opera on Lp & remember quite enjoying it,uneven or not. Maybe the Accord will have better singing?
Wish Chandos would hurry up & do his Symphony! :(
I hope Accord are going to keep on with these releases of rare opera's!
(Herrmann 'Les Hauts de Hurlevent' Accord 3cds Amazon Pre order Release date February 20th,but £27.98 is a bit steep for me! Maybe,HMV? I got Fedra from MDT!)
I recently got this and keep listening to it. Very fine music.
Pizzetti: String Quartets 1 & 2 by Lajtha Quartet
[asin]B0058JDC7G[/asin]
I want to hear his symphony but this is the only one I found. The sound is very old with scratch noise (recorded in 1940.) I think there is no other recordings.
http://www.youtube.com/v/FK4k4ZXPlY8
Ah yes, Pizzetti. Apart of that Italian group Generation of 1880 (I believe this is correct...can't remember) whose 'membership' also included Malipiero, Respighi, Casella, and another composer whose name slips my mind. Do you know Vanksa's recording on Hyperion of some of his orchestral music, torut? This may be right up your alley. It certainly was up mine. :)
Hi Mirror Image, no, I don't have that disc. It seems the one to get. It was Hyperion when this thread started (2009!) and is now on Helios, that is good. :)
Are there musical characteristics common to these Italian composers? Malipiero and Pizzetti do not sound similar to me, for example, but I only heard few of them, so I am not sure.
(Only tangentially . . . the name Hildebrand brings my mind immediately to the sunny world of P.G. Wodehouse.)
I like all his music!
My Pizzetti cd collection:
Rondo Veneziano,La Pisanella,Preludio a un altro giorno,etc BBC Scottish SO Vanska Hyperion
Concerto de l'estate,La Pisanella (+ works by Respighi & Rota) Decca Eloquence
Canti della stagione alta,etc susanna Stefani (pno) Robert Schuman Phil/Caetani Marco Polo
Piano Trio,Violin Sonata,Tre Canti Marco Polo
String Quartets Lajtha Quartet Marco Polo
Messa Di Requiem,Tre composizioni corali,etc The Danish National Radio Chamber Choir/Parkman Chandos
Fedra Opera in 3 acts Montpelier 2008 Released 2010 Accord 2cds
The Naxos recording of the 'Concerto de l'estate' is to be avoided! The one to get is on the Decca Eloquence label.
The Hyperion recording of the Requiem (+ Martin) was widely praised,but the Chandos is just Pizzetti and it sounds good to me!
The Marco Polo recording of the 'Canti della Stagione alta' is one of the best offerings from Marco Polo in terms of performance & sound.
'Fedra',on the Accord label,is a 'live recording'. The sound quality is very good,but there is no english translation of the libretto included!
His 'Canti della stagione alta' is a particular favourite. Lush,hyper-romantic music. Very filmic! A sort of Piano Concerto with wonderful tunes. I particularly like the way he brings the best one back right near the end! However,one or two moments of bombast,where the composer seems to momentarily lose focus prevent it from being anything more than a cd wallow for curiosity hunters. I love it,though!
His choral music is very fine,particularly the 'Messa Di Requiem. It should be better known! Beautiful music!
I didn't like the 'Concerto de l'estate' when I heard the Naxos recording. The Decca Eloquence reissue of the 1966 Gardelli recording changed my opinion. Like Respighi,but less showy! Lovely music. But don't expect the Pines of Rome!!
Fedra is very symphonic. Lots of big,lush romantic sounds. Exciting in places. I didn't need a libretto. Just sit back and enjoy a wallow!
His chamber and instrumental music is very enoyable. Great for late night listening with the lights turned down.
I have to say I DO NOT agree with Dundonnell's somewhat curious response!! As to being able to hear those works he alludes to? Well,lucky old him!! (And thanks for the link!!!) These are still lovely pieces of music!
Quote from: torut on March 17, 2014, 09:46:53 PM
Hi Mirror Image, no, I don't have that disc. It seems the one to get. It was Hyperion when this thread started (2009!) and is now on Helios, that is good. :)
Are there musical characteristics common to these Italian composers? Malipiero and Pizzetti do not sound similar to me, for example, but I only heard few of them, so I am not sure.
I wouldn't say this group of Italian composers had much in common musically-speaking, but they all had a goal of trying to bringing back orchestral music to Italy whose musical history was steeped in the operatic tradition previously. And, yes, that Pizzetti orchestral disc w/ Vanska is now on Helios. All the better to buy it while it's cheap. :)
Thanks for recommendation. I purchased these, and am now listening to Vanska disc. Very beautiful.
Did Pizzetti particularly like A major? Symphony, SQ No. 1, Piano Trio, Violin Sonata are all in A major.
Pizzetti: Orchestral Works - BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Osmo Vanska
[asin]B001UWOIPA[/asin]
Piano Trio / Violin Sonata / Tre Canti
[asin]B003NA7FV6[/asin]
Coming in April:
(http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/jpegs/150dpi/034571178691.png)
Pizzetti's Symphony from 1940 is an extraordinary work. It is long, memorable and deeply felt. Anyone who likes the orchestral works of Respighi or Cassella will, I suspect, love this one:
[asin]B06XWTF2HN[/asin]
Assassinio nella cattedrale
After TS Eliot poem. Here Ruggero Raimondi as Thomas Beckett
[asin]B0011WMWWK[/asin]
As a whole, I did not find this opera as successful as, say, Poulenc Dialogue des carmelites. A certain repetitive feeling sets in as you listen to this opera. It uses 3 choruses (male, female and children) very effectively. This choral part is the backbone of the work. The setting in Bari's cathedral is beautiful and Raimondi is a towerring Beckett.
I love his Canti della stagione alta,but to date,I have yet to find one person who shares my enthusiasm. Yes,there are some moments of bombast,but that glorious theme in the first movement,and the wonderful way he brings it back at the end of the final movement. There is another beautiful melody in the second movement. It's all so romantic. It reminds me of some of those wonderful Fellini/Rota films. I remember some non entity in Gramophone giving a rival recording a rotten review. That from a glossy past it sell by date rag! ::) >:( (Spits into waste basket!!) Wonderful music! :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
(http://i.imgur.com/bk9EfAC.jpg)
Quote from: cilgwyn on May 12, 2017, 04:14:20 PM
I love his Canti della stagione alta,but to date,I have yet to find one person who shares my enthusiasm. Yes,there are some moments of bombast,but that glorious theme in the first movement,and the wonderful way he brings it back at the end of the final movement. There is another beautiful melody in the second movement. It's all so romantic. It reminds me of some of those wonderful Fellini/Rota films. I remember some non entity in Gramophone giving a rival recording a rotten review. That from a glossy past it sell by date rag! ::) >:( (Spits into waste basket!!) Wonderful music! :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
(http://i.imgur.com/bk9EfAC.jpg)
Looks very interesting but pricey on Amazon UK but then I saw that the CD has gone on to Naxos so, once more unto the Amazon shopping basket. I prefer the Marco Polo cover design though. Thanks for the recommendation cigwyn.
Quote from: Mirror Image on March 20, 2014, 07:15:59 PM
Coming in April:
(http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/jpegs/150dpi/034571178691.png)
Even more temptation but thank you John.
:)
Yes,the Marco Polo cover design is more fun. It's also strange how cd artwork can affect your enjoyment! The first recording I ever had of the Moeran Symphony was the Chandos Handley. When I finally bought the cd,I got the Enchantment reissue,and the artwork is pretty dire,imho. In the end I just had to buy the one with the original photo,which is really lovely. Although,since then I have expanded my Moeran Symphony with the Boult recording and Dilkes which are even finer. I got the Dilkes after reading your posts about it. The hmv has excellent couplings,too.
As to Canti della Stagione alta. I like it. The music is very romantic,almost filmic. A few moments of bombast in the second movement,where the composer seems to have been struggling with how to develop his material (such a lovely opening melody) DO lose it a few brownie points,but I like the rest;and I DO like the way he brings back his 'big' opening tune with a final flourish,right at the end. Respighi's Concerto in Modo Misolidio is a good comparison,and I gather you don't like that too much! I do. My preferred recording is the one on the Ondine label. I like the coupling.
I'm told the Pizzetti Symphony is thornier than the romantic Pizzetti we're used to;but is seems to have quite a few admirers. Dundonnell,is amongst them. By the way,I wish he would return to the GMG. I've never had any problems here,really.......so far,fingers crossed,as they say!! ::) ;D
Quote from: cilgwyn on May 13, 2017, 02:05:04 AM
Yes,the Marco Polo cover design is more fun. It's also strange how cd artwork can affect your enjoyment! The first recording I ever had of the Moeran Symphony was the Chandos Handley. When I finally bought the cd,I got the Enchantment reissue,and the artwork is pretty dire,imho. In the end I just had to buy the one with the original photo,which is really lovely. Although,since then I have expanded my Moeran Symphony with the Boult recording and Dilkes which are even finer. I got the Dilkes after reading your posts about it. The hmv has excellent couplings,too.
As to Canti della Stagione alta. I like it. The music is very romantic,almost filmic. A few moments of bombast in the second movement,where the composer seems to have been struggling with how to develop his material (such a lovely opening melody) DO lose it a few brownie points,but I like the rest;and I DO like the way he brings back his 'big' opening tune with a final flourish,right at the end. Respighi's Concerto in Modo Misolidio is a good comparison,and I gather you don't like that too much! I do. My preferred recording is the one on the Ondine label. I like the coupling
I'm told the Pizzetti Symphony is thornier than the romantic Pizzetti we're used to;but is seems to have quite a few admirers. Dundonnell,is amongst them. By the way,I wish he would return to the GMG. I've never had any problems here,really.......so far,fingers crossed,as they say!! ::) ;D
No, I like the Respighi Concerto in Modo Misolidio, especially it's lovely dreamy tune. I think that we disagreed musically about the Sinfonia Drammatica. Funnily enough the Dilkes LP of the Moeran Symphony had a great effect on me when it first appeared. I was, I'm my student days, working as a shop assistant at Harrods in London. I wanted to be in books or records and they put me in the silk department >:D. In my lunch hour I mooched around their record dept where I first saw the Moeran which I'd not even heard of. Of course I snapped it up with my staff discount and never looked back as far as that symphony is concerned. It remains my favourite recording as it has a special quality to it, even more IMHO than the magisterial Boult recording on Lyrita. When I bought the CD I had, of course, to buy the one with the fine LP cover image (Ring of Kerry, Ireland) on, which I still enjoy. Yes, it would be great if Colin (Dundonnell) returned but I doubt it. I've had the pleasure of meeting him in real life in London which was very nice. Pizzetti is a totally new discovery for me so thanks for your recommendation of the Marco/Polo Naxos CD which I hope to smuggle into the house soon. Thanks to jowcol too for starting this thread. :)
If you like choral music I would also recommend the Hyperion or Chandos cds. The Hyperion got the rave reviews,but the Chandos cd sounds fine to me,and you get more Pizzetti! The Hyperion cd of orchestral music is obviously a must if you like this composer. Try and forget the baliff and buy both!! :( ;D If you want to hear his Concerto de l'estate,don't get the Naxos recording. I had it and I didn't think much of the work. Later,I bought a copy of the Decca Eloquence reissue of the 1966 recording,coupled with some other works,and I did enjoy it. It sounds like Respighi in Roman trilogy mode;but without the noisy bits,I think? I haven't played it for a while & I think I will later? The Naxos recording seems rather bland by comparison.
Here it is,with some nice fill-ups!
(http://i.imgur.com/ACXhxPQ.jpg)
I think Pizzetti is a very fine composer. If you like Respighi I think Pizzetti has a similar sound world,in many ways. I think Respighi has the edge though in terms of the ultimate memorability of his ideas and tunes;but then you get a work like the Rondo Veneziano,for example,which I think is as good as anything Respighi composed. I could hear the big tune in my head for several days after listening to it. Also,I think comparisons are always rather unfair! Judging from what I heard of Fedra,his operas areprobably worthy of a revival. The Accord set of Fedra has no english translation of the libretto,though!! ::) >:(
I think that you are trying to bankrupt me cilgwyn. Actually I do own 'Rondo Veneziano' which I picked up very cheap on an Amazon second-hand Hyperion CD about a week ago and am listening to it now. The Decca CD looks interesting with its couplings of Respighi and Rota.
That great tune towards the end of Rondo Veneziano reminds me very much of Atterberg - so you'll have to buy the Atterberg symphony series after all. >:D
Quote from: cilgwyn on May 12, 2017, 04:14:20 PM
I love his Canti della stagione alta,but to date,I have yet to find one person who shares my enthusiasm. Yes,there are some moments of bombast,but that glorious theme in the first movement,and the wonderful way he brings it back at the end of the final movement. There is another beautiful melody in the second movement. It's all so romantic. It reminds me of some of those wonderful Fellini/Rota films. I remember some non entity in Gramophone giving a rival recording a rotten review. That from a glossy past it sell by date rag! ::) >:( (Spits into waste basket!!) Wonderful music! :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
(http://i.imgur.com/bk9EfAC.jpg)
I've thoroughly enjoyed 'Canti della stagione alta' (Naxos release) and very much agree with your comments above. The dreamy slow movement and finale are especially memorable - so many thanks for the recommendation - and I forgive you for bankrupting me. 8)
Wow! You actually did enjoy it! :o As far as I can make out I'm the only fan of this score on this forum,and the AMF one. I played the cd all the way through after droning on about it here,and while I don't think it's a masterpiece,I really enoy it. The tunes are lovely and I love the "distant brass figures" the reviewer on Musicweb (who obviously likes it as much as me) refers to. It makes me think of romantic,Italian landscapes and buildings,and the remote past. There is something cinematic about the whole work. Oh,and this is one of those instances where Marco Polo seem to have come up trumps with the performance and recording quality.
This is the review,if you haven't already seen it:
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=226972 (http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=226972)
Just for the sake of balance;there is a really bad review of of this work,in a rival recording,on Gramophone's website,which comes up if you search for reviews of this work on the web. You can read it by pressing "Printscreen",and then saving it,before the subscription thingummy blocks it out (for a quick peruse). I suppose I shouldn't really tell people that! ::) Each to his own,eh?!! >:( ;D
Looking at the artwork for the Naxos reissue. I see what you mean,vandermolen. Not exactly inspiring. Don't they know that us cd obsessives are tempted by attractive artwork? The music deserves better! This joins that Naxos Havergal Brian cd of Syms 17 & 32 as one of their worst ever!
(http://i.imgur.com/bsSFQY0.jpg)
Quote from: cilgwyn on May 22, 2017, 11:19:20 AM
Looking at the artwork for the Naxos reissue. I see what you mean,vandermolen. Not exactly inspiring. Don't they know that us cd obsessives are tempted by attractive artwork? The music deserves better! This joins that Naxos Havergal Brian cd of Syms 17 & 32 as one of their worst ever!
(http://i.imgur.com/I7eOb6t.jpg)
Yes, cilgwyn, its rubbish (the cover) especially compared to the Marco Polo you posted above. I prefer the Naxos HB Symphony 17 cover actually - at least the sinister circular form looks a bit like the psychopathic 'HAL 9000' computer from '2001: A Space Odyssey'.
Yes,I did pick on that one! It was just the first one that sprang to mind because we were making fun of it on the Brian thread. I think it looks like an egg yolk. The line could be a representation of a sausage! John brought up the HAL comparison. I must admit I've never got to the end of that movie! One day?!! If you're not careful the 'eye' can follow you around,if you're not careful!! On a more serious note,I think well chosen artwork does help sell copies of a cd. This one is......... ::) ::) ::) ;D
Quote from: cilgwyn on May 23, 2017, 01:11:47 AM
Yes,I did pick on that one! It was just the first one that sprang to mind because we were making fun of it on the Brian thread. I think it looks like an egg yolk. The line could be a representation of a sausage! John brought up the HAL comparison. I must admit I've never got to the end of that movie! One day?!! If you're not careful the 'eye' can follow you around,if you're not careful!! On a more serious note,I think well chosen artwork does help sell copies of a cd. This one is......... ::) ::) ::) ;D
Yes, some of those Marco Polo to Naxos covers are pretty bad but I guess we have to be grateful that the music is available. I think they made more effort with the Marco Polo to Naxos Film series CDs.
Quote from: vandermolen on May 12, 2017, 02:17:32 PM
Pizzetti's Symphony from 1940 is an extraordinary work. It is long, memorable and deeply felt. Anyone who likes the orchestral works of Respighi or Cassella will, I suspect, love this one:
[asin]B06XWTF2HN[/asin]
Just listened the wonderful Symphony for the first time today and I very much agree with you, Jeffrey. It has resonances of Respighi and VW (there's also a wonderful, Mahlerian tune in the finale), but is perhaps closest in style to Casella, particularly his masterful Symphony no. 3 which was composed in the same year (1940). The Pizzetti and Casella symphonies have in common a low-key but captivating musical language that is often tinged with a feeling of threat and unease (but never outright anger), probably due to the circumstances of the times. They both end in movingly peaceful repose. This Symphony is definitely on a higher level of inspiration than the works contained on a previous Naxos disc of Pizzetti's orchestral music (containing the Concerto dell'Estate). Highly recommended!
I first posted this on the "Recordings You Are Considering" thread, but maybe it belongs here....
––––––––––––-
As Mae West said, "if some is good and more is better, then way too much is just about right".
That's how I feel about Pizzetti. I have three nice discs:
- Pizzetti: Chamber Music
- Pizzetti: Canti della stagione alta, etc
- Pizzetti: Symphony, Harp Concerto (all Marco Polo/Naxos)
but I want more!
Looking seriously at:
[asin]B001U1L9U8[/asin]
and:
[asin] B000031WGI[/asin]
Anybody familiar with these? Go or no-go?
UPDATE: after reviewing the above thread, I am inclined to go with the latter but skip the former. Any thoughts?
I'd skip the former and go for the Hyperion cd. This is a much better performance of the Concerto,though,imho! :) The Hyperion is a "must have",if you enjoy Pizzetti!
(https://i.imgur.com/zuqOdsg.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/wiDyai8.jpg)
I wouldn't be without these!
(https://i.imgur.com/Hdz4q0M.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/1k23Dnu.jpg)
Thanks!
Quote from: kyjo on June 20, 2018, 04:07:20 PM
Just listened the wonderful Symphony for the first time today and I very much agree with you, Jeffrey. It has resonances of Respighi and VW (there's also a wonderful, Mahlerian tune in the finale), but is perhaps closest in style to Casella, particularly his masterful Symphony no. 3 which was composed in the same year (1940). The Pizzetti and Casella symphonies have in common a low-key but captivating musical language that is often tinged with a feeling of threat and unease (but never outright anger), probably due to the circumstances of the times. They both end in movingly peaceful repose. This Symphony is definitely on a higher level of inspiration than the works contained on a previous Naxos disc of Pizzetti's orchestral music (containing the Concerto dell'Estate). Highly recommended!
I missed this post Kyle and I'm delighted that you liked it. Actually this thread has made me want to listen to it again as I haven't heard it for ages. Plus I must investigate some of his other works which cigwyn has kindly brought to our attention or 'droned on about' (his words). 8) :)
I'd have recommended the Accord release of Pizzetti's opera,Fedra. The music is what you might expect from some of the orchestral cd's;but the vocal style is declamatory. The kind of opera where you need a libretto,in the language you speak & understand. Unfortunately,none supplied! A pity because the singing and sound quality is very good. Such a shame,when so much of his output was opera. It's hard to understand the logic behind a release like this. And modern recordings of Pizzetti operas aren't exactly thick on the ground. That said,I prefer vocal lines that are of a more lyrical nature.
I'm utterly stunned (once more) by the Piano concerto 'Canti della stagione alta' (maybe cilgwyn is a fan too). I feel it rather melodramatic in the best sense of the word, something for wallow and wallow over and over again. It's impossible to get tired by this, there is no way :D Now is firmly my favorite Italian piano concerto. Plenty of consummate stunning melodies within the more diverse field of emotions, and the ending... oh God, just orgasmic!!
This recording makes justice to the work, The performance is dramatic and not less than muscular.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51MsOguelgL._SS500.jpg)
I love it. I totally agree with you. I think there are one,or two,brief moments of,what you might call 'bombast',but they only add to the fun. It's a bit like listening to a huge,lavish,and very romantic,film score. And I mean that in a good way!! I couldn't help thinking of the films of Fellini (and Rota). The tunes are wonderful. The big one in the first movement,and I love the way he brings it back at the end. There's also another lovely theme in the second movement. I've got the Marco Polo recording,which is very good,and one of their most successful recordings in terms of the performances and recording quality. Incidentally,if you haven't seen it,best not to look at the Gramophone review. I don't think it was of the recordings we own;but I remember being a bit peeved. I consoled myself,however,by reminding myself that the magazine (which I once looked forward to in my youth) is a pretty shallow,glossy little,rag these days (albeit,a slight improvement under it's new owners).
Quote from: cilgwyn on August 07, 2018, 02:28:35 AM
I love it. I totally agree with you. I think there are one,or two,brief moments of,what you might call 'bombast',but they only add to the fun. It's a bit like listening to a huge,lavish,and very romantic,film score. And I mean that in a good way!! I couldn't help thinking of the films of Fellini (and Rota). The tunes are wonderful. The big one in the first movement,and I love the way he brings it back at the end. There's also another lovely theme in the second movement. I've got the Marco Polo recording,which is very good,and one of their most successful recordings in terms of the performances and recording quality. Incidentally,if you haven't seen it,best not to look at the Gramophone review. I don't think it was of the recordings we own;but I remember being a bit peeved. I consoled myself,however,by reminding myself that the magazine (which I once looked forward to in my youth) is a pretty shallow,glossy little,rag these days (albeit,a slight improvement under it's new owners).
I see the point about the link between Rota and Fellini's film with this work. It fits perfectly indeed. Italian ultra-romanticism at its most quasi-filmic vein!
Getting a listen from his Symphony. Truly astounding piece, amazes me. There is lot of attractive and moving music not devoid of certain pathos. Is it me or did I listen to reminiscences of Tubin, Lloyd, and even Langgaard and Villa-Lobos? If so, demonstrates that my tastes are right! 8)
Reading back through this thread brings home the sad absence of cilgwyn.
:(
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on November 07, 2019, 06:07:34 PM
Getting a listen from his Symphony. Truly astounding piece, amazes me. There is lot of attractive and moving music not devoid of certain pathos. Is it me or did I listen to reminiscences of Tubin, Lloyd, and even Langgaard and Villa-Lobos? If so, demonstrates that my tastes are right! 8)
Very much with you here Cesar. Must listen to the symphony again soon.
Quote from: vandermolen on November 07, 2019, 10:29:40 PM
Reading back through this thread brings home the sad absence of cilgwyn.
:(
Sadly true.
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on November 07, 2019, 06:07:34 PM
Getting a listen from his Symphony. Truly astounding piece, amazes me. There is lot of attractive and moving music not devoid of certain pathos. Is it me or did I listen to reminiscences of Tubin, Lloyd, and even Langgaard and Villa-Lobos? If so, demonstrates that my tastes are right! 8)
It's a great work indeed - eclectic, as you mention - yet personal and integrated. I also detected reminiscences of Vaughan Williams and his fellow countryman Casella (especially that composer's 3rd Symphony).
Quote from: kyjo on November 10, 2019, 01:40:41 PM
It's a great work indeed - eclectic, as you mention - yet personal and integrated. I also detected reminiscences of Vaughan Williams and his fellow countryman Casella (especially that composer's 3rd Symphony).
Since you mention, Casella seems to be there too. The Italian heritage can't be denied.