Discussion about Malipiero and the recent thread on Pizzetti prompts me to raise the case of Alfredo Casella, another of the 'generazione dell'ottanta' which re-invigorated Italian instrumental music in the first half of the 20th century.
Casella studied in Paris under Faure at the very end of the 19th century and was acquainted with his fellow students Ravel and Enescu. He developed a strong admiration for the music of Debussy but was, at first, more influenced by composers like Mahler, Strauss and Busoni. Casella wrote two early symphonies in a Mahlerian/Straussian idiom but neither has yet been recorded.
Casella developed into an excellent pianist and innovative conductor(he conducted the Boston Pops orchestra for a couple of years in the late 1920s). After the First World War Casella's style changed into a more neo-classical type(owing something to Stravinsky) and most of the works of his which have been recorded come from that time, including the Violin Concerto and the Cello Concerto.
His great achievement(perhaps his greatest claim to ultimate fame) was his work in reviving interest in the music of Vivaldi and, together with Malipiero, Casella did a tremendous amount to restore the music of the Italian baroque composers to public attention.
Unfortunately Casella-unlike Malipiero-fell victim to a somewhat naive admiration for Italian Fascism and Mussolini and his reputation has probably suffered as a result(although he may now be coming in from the cold).
Two works of his which I would really like to hear are the Concerto Romano for organ and orchestra and the Third Symphony of 1939. The symphony has been recorded by CPO but not yet issued. There is also the 1944 Missa Solemnis "Pro Pace" which is reported to be 'quasi-serialist'.
Casella may not be quite the equal of Malipiero but he is not far short of that composer in quality and his works certainly demand more general exposure.
http://www.classicalarchives.com/composer/2302.html#tv=about
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfredo_Casella
All I know is the 2cd Nuova Era retrospective. What is his famous piece, Serenade?...with the trumpet? Very 20s.
Yes, perhaps he is being punished. Has any major label recorded anything?
Naxos have a disc (I have it but remember no details). Guess they are a major now.
I have these-
together with-
and also-
Serenata is the piece.
Comparing the merits between Casella and Ghedini would be interesting. Ghedini is the dark horse for me. I have a Stradivarius disc of his chamber music (pity, no SQ), no masterpieces, but an interesting listen in tandem with some Dallapicolla or Malipiero. Thankfully, mid century Italian music isn't as big a black hole as other pursuits!
Casella would be the most "French" of the bunch, no?
Quote from: snyprrr on May 05, 2009, 11:17:14 PM
Serenata is the piece.
Comparing the merits between Casella and Ghedini would be interesting. Ghedini is the dark horse for me. I have a Stradivarius disc of his chamber music (pity, no SQ), no masterpieces, but an interesting listen in tandem with some Dallapicolla or Malipiero. Thankfully, mid century Italian music isn't as big a black hole as other pursuits!
Casella would be the most "French" of the bunch, no?
"French"? Yes, I suppose so. Most "Internationalist" certainly :)
Better word, yes.
At last ;D
http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/cpo/detail/-/art/Alfredo-Casella-Symphonie-op-63/hnum/7411161
This recording has been sitting in CPO's vaults for the last three years.
Oddly, CPO's cd cover simply calls the piece 'Symphonie' although it is in fact Casella's Third Symphony. There are two early symphonies as well.
(Now what about their recording of Krenek's 4th Symphony?)
I don't know much about this composer but have greatly enjoyed his Symphony No 2, just released on Naxos. It is an epic work of 55 minutes first performed in 1910. The style is Mahler meets Respighi, Zemlinsky and early Bloch - all composers whom I like - but it is also a work of considerable originality, generally dark in tone with lots of pounding ostinato. The coupling A notte alta for piano and orchestra is also excellent - a nice discovery.
Quote from: vandermolen on July 06, 2010, 11:00:12 PM
I don't know much about this composer but have greatly enjoyed his Symphony No 2, just released on Naxos. It is an epic work of 55 minutes first performed in 1910. The style is Mahler meets Respighi, Zemlinsky and early Bloch - all composers whom I like - but it is also a work of considerable originality, generally dark in tone with lots of pounding ostinato. The coupling A notte alta for piano and orchestra is also excellent - a nice discovery.
That recording hasn't come out in the States yet, but I really look forward to hearing as the first recording with "Symphony No. 1" and "Concerto for Piano, Timpani, Percussion, and Strings" was really good.
Concerto romano ( Organ, strings, timpani, trumpets & trombones) can be had on a SIGNUM double Cd called "Expressionismus".
At nearly 30 mins. it is a bit long. But Martin Schmeding , organ and the Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester frankfurt / Christoph Campestrini give a very profesional performance.
(http://rsindex.pictures-hosting.com/2010-01-21/0011f3f2_medium.jpeg)
I haven't heard this other recording
(http://content.answcdn.com/main/content/img/amg/classical_albums/cov200/cl200/l243/l24337han0p.jpg)
Casella's Elegia eroica (also on the Signum disc) from1916 is a very dark and dramatic piece lasting almost 15 mins.
P.
another recording of the op. 56 "Piano Trio" recording is/was on Koch Schwann, backed with the Sonata a tre op. 62
Latest interview with Klaus Heymann isn't really about Casella, but there's an interesting tidbit for those who noticed the sudden Casella CD outburst last year:
"Chandos, for example, is often mining the same unknown territory that we are mining. I always make sure that their release comes out first. They're always a little bit nervous about showing me their release plans, so I always have to show them my release plans: Take a look—Oh, you have some Casella symphonies? O.K., you come out with it first, and I'll come out a month later. But they're happy with what we do for them."
http://www.newmusicbox.org/articles/klaus-heymann-the-last-record-man-standing/
Right now, I'm giving Casella a fair shake. His music is incredibly good. The Sinfonia (Symphony No. 3), in particular, is one of the finest works I've heard from any Italian composer in my opinion. That second movement Andante completely floored me with it's haunting beauty and it's almost heartening outcry for humanity. A kind of yearning that I found quite revealing and hadn't really heard in Casella's music before. He's becoming one of my favorite Italian composers and, dare I say, he's projecting more emotional depth than Respighi. Malipiero and Pizzetti are still two very fine Italian composers that I'm going to continue to explore.
A massive thank you to John for introducing me to this fascinating composer through his recommendation to me of the 3rd symphony.
Have just finished listening to this excellent recording:
[asin]B002CAOW0K[/asin]
Really impressed with it, I love the work and am very keen to listen to it again, as soon as possible! Would be interested to hear his other works as well! The symphony was a very exciting work, with many moments of beauty and power. A really thrilling work which I enjoyed very much! Thank you again John!
Quote from: madaboutmahler on December 22, 2011, 12:19:07 PM
A massive thank you to John for introducing me to this fascinating composer through his recommendation to me of the 3rd symphony.
Have just finished listening to this excellent recording:
[asin]B002CAOW0K[/asin]
Really impressed with it, I love the work and am very keen to listen to it again, as soon as possible! Would be interested to hear his other works as well! The symphony was a very exciting work, with many moments of beauty and power. A really thrilling work which I enjoyed very much! Thank you again John!
Awesome, Daniel. I'm so glad you enjoyed it! 8)
Quote from: Mirror Image on December 22, 2011, 05:57:39 PM
Awesome, Daniel. I'm so glad you enjoyed it! 8)
Thanks John :)
I am definitely going to buy that recording of the 3rd symphony, but I was wondering, is this one worth is as well? Especially considering it is so inexpensive?
[asin]B004YJZ8CI[/asin]
And also,
I noticed Noseda had made a recording of the 2nd symphony, do you think/know that Noseda will be continuing a Casella cycle?
Yes...if you can, buy the Naxos disc for the Elegia Eroica(as well as an Italian version of the 3rd Symphony).
Review:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2011/July11/casella_8572415.htm
Noseda will be recording more Casella, apparently, including the Concerto for Orchestra.
Quote from: madaboutmahler on December 23, 2011, 03:35:48 AM
Thanks John :)
I am definitely going to buy that recording of the 3rd symphony, but I was wondering, is this one worth is as well? Especially considering it is so inexpensive?
[asin]B004YJZ8CI[/asin]
And also,
I noticed Noseda had made a recording of the 2nd symphony, do you think/know that Noseda will be continuing a Casella cycle?
Daniel,
The Naxos series is very good. I think, however, I prefer Alun Francis's performance of the
Symphony No. 3 over the La Vecchia. I also think the Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra have a much warmer sound and are captured in better sonics than the Naxos recording. My suggestion is buy the Alun Francis recording on CPO.
I also prefer the Chandos 2nd over the Naxos equivalent. Still hoping Chandos will do all 3.
He has been one of the discoveries of 2011 for me. I really liked Symphony No 2 and look forward to investigating No 3. Good for Naxos! (and Chandos).
Quote from: Mirror Image on December 23, 2011, 07:28:05 PM
Daniel,
The Naxos series is very good. I think, however, I prefer Alun Francis's performance of the Symphony No. 3 over the La Vecchia. I also think the Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra have a much warmer sound and are captured in better sonics than the Naxos recording. My suggestion is buy the Alun Francis recording on CPO.
Get both ;D ;D for the reason I stated earlier-with the Naxos you get the Elegia Eroica.
Thank you for your feedback.
Quote from: Dundonnell on December 24, 2011, 03:42:30 AM
Get both ;D ;D for the reason I stated earlier-with the Naxos you get the Elegia Eroica.
Probably shall do that :D
Quote from: Dundonnell on December 23, 2011, 03:52:24 AM
Noseda will be recording more Casella, apparently, including the Concerto for Orchestra.
Colin, do you know when?
Noseda has already recorded the Concerto for Orchestra. He told this to a member of another forum who spoke to him in August this year. At that time the couplings had not been decided though.
Quote from: Dundonnell on December 24, 2011, 06:39:39 AM
Noseda has already recorded the Concerto for Orchestra. He told this to a member of another forum who spoke to him in August this year. At that time the couplings had not been decided though.
Excellent! Am I correct in thinking that this will be the premiere recording of the Concerto for Orchestra? Do any of you know it?
Quote from: madaboutmahler on December 24, 2011, 06:41:44 AM
Excellent! Am I correct in thinking that this will be the premiere recording of the Concerto for Orchestra? Do any of you know it?
Yes and No are the answers from me ;D ;D
I do know that it was composed in 1932 which makes it one of the earliest Concertos for Orchestra after those by Hindemith(1925), Szeligowski(1930) and Malipiero(1931; strictly speaking his was titled 'Concerti').
I always tend to think of the Brandenburgs as the first concertoes for orchestra. If not in name, at least in practice.
Quote from: Dundonnell on December 24, 2011, 06:47:39 AM
Yes and No are the answers from me ;D ;D
I do know that it was composed in 1932 which makes it one of the earliest Concertos for Orchestra after those by Hindemith(1925), Szeligowski(1930) and Malipiero(1931; strictly speaking his was titled 'Concerti').
;D
Fascinating.
Quote from: The new erato on December 24, 2011, 06:53:57 AM
I always tend to think of the Brandenburgs as the first concertoes for orchestra. If not in name, at least in practice.
If we are talking about 'concertos for orchestra' in 'practice' then there would certainly be plenty before the 20th century, Rimsky Korsakov's Sheherezade came straight into mind! :D
I've had an interest in Casella since getting the discs from the cpo series years ago. Recently got this relatively new release and find the Concerto for Orchestra very engaging.
[asin]B007KWD6K2[/asin]
Looking forward to volume 3 of the Chandos series, obviously.
New Casella recording on the horizon:
(http://cdn.naxos.com/SharedFiles/images/cds/others/8.573180.gif)
http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.573180
From the Naxos website:
Both Alfredo Casella and Giorgio Federico Ghedini are featured in ongoing Naxos series of orchestral works, but this is the first release to couple the two of them. The pieces have much in common—not least, both are concertos using the rare combination of piano trio and orchestra, pioneered by Beethoven—but they are also beautifully contrasted. Casella wrote his Triple Concerto for his own Trio Italiano, who performed it five hundred times on three continents in less than a decade. Ghedini's Concerto dell'albatro adds the voice of a narrator to the piano trio and orchestra, evoking, in words from Herman Melville's sea story Moby-Dick, a remarkable encounter with an Antarctic albatross.
I'll definitely be snapping this one up once it comes out! :)
From Germany's Hessischer Rundfunk:
Noseda conducts Casella's second symphony!
http://youtube.com/v/KDslVGf7OTQ
P.
I don't know how much I'm liking Casella as compared with other Italians. Is he more Germanic sounding then? What do you recommend? The Naxos Series just sounds like "Symphony Music" to me- what's his quirkiest stuff? I have the enjoyable Serenade/Serenata...
Too bad this composer's thread has too few activity. He's one of my favorites. I was listening to his Symphony No. 1 in B minor (Naxos recording). I'm not sure if this recording under La Vecchia is less polished than that on Chandos under Noseda, but I'm pretty sure this is a fantastic work full of poetry and drama, albeit not in a hysterical way, but more subdued. I could confirm it's a work of substance enough to consider it a work of a formidable accomplished young composer.
A great composer IMHO. A curious evolution and mix of influences: Fauré among his teachers, Debussy and Mahler among his idols (he even transcribed the Seventh Symphony of the latter for piano duet), and then the "return to the homeland" and the development of a personal and very engaging "Mediterranean neoclassicism".
It is his later work I admire the most, and most particularly the ballet La giara, which to me ranks among the very best pieces to come out of Italy in the first half if the 20th century. Music in which Sicilian folklore is elevated to unexpected heights, and a work that can stand comparison to similar endeavours such as Falla's Three-cornered Hat and the folk-inspired music of a Bartök or an Enesco. Of course, the whole creation of La giara meant it was bound to be something special: a Rolf de Maré production, with a scenario by Pirandello, sets by de Chirico, and music by Casella.
But there's other very rewarding works, like the Serenata op. 46 (in its chamber and orchestral versions), the Concerto for Orchestra, op. 61, the Triple Concerto, op. 56, and many more...
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on April 21, 2020, 12:44:14 PM
Too bad this composer's thread has too few activity. He's one of my favorites. I was listening to his Symphony No. 1 in B minor (Naxos recording). I'm not sure if this recording under La Vecchia is less polished than that on Chandos under Noseda, but I'm pretty sure this is a fantastic work full of poetry and drama, albeit not in a hysterical way, but more subdued. I could confirm it's a work of substance enough to consider it a work of a formidable accomplished young composer.
This recording made a big impression on me, especially the imposingly lugubrious opening of the Symphony - a fine disc:
(//)
Quote from: ritter on April 21, 2020, 01:17:58 PM
A great composer IMHO. A curious evolution and mix of influences: Fauré among his teachers, Debussy and Mahler among his idols (he even transcribed the Seventh Symphony of the latter for piano duet), and then the "return to the homeland" and the development of a personal and very engaging "Mediterranean neoclassicism".
It is his later work I admire the most, and most particularly the ballet La giara, which to me ranks among the very best pieces to come out of Italy in the first half if the 20th century. Music in which Sicilian folklore is elevated to unexpected heights, and a work that can stand comparison to similar endeavours such as Falla's Three-cornered Hat and the folk-inspired music of a Bartök or an Enesco. Of course, the whole creation of La giara meant it was bound to be something special: a Rolf de Maré production, with a scenario by Pirandello, sets by de Chirico, and music by Casella.
But there's other very rewarding works, like the Serenata op. 46 (in its chamber and orchestral versions), the Concerto for Orchestra, op. 61, the Triple Concerto, op. 56, and many more...
Very interesting to read, ritter. I was unaware of a Fauré influence on Casella.
La Giara looks like a real treat to hear. You piqued my curiosity. Is there a recording of the full score? I only know a suite of it, but not the whole thing.
Quote from: vandermolen on April 21, 2020, 01:19:23 PM
This recording made a big impression on me, especially the imposingly lugubrious opening of the Symphony - a fine disc:
Yes, yes! Another firm favorite of mine. I like both Chandos and Naxos recording of it. And there is another recording which I haven't listened to it yet. This:
(https://direct.rhapsody.com/imageserver/images/alb.266695361/600x600.jpg)
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on April 21, 2020, 03:10:33 PM
Very interesting to read, ritter. I was unaware of a Fauré influence on Casella. La Giara looks like a real treat to hear. You piqued my curiosity. Is there a recording of the full score? I only know a suite of it, but not the whole thing.
The only recording I know of the complete
La giara I know of is this, on the small La Bottega Discantica label from Italy:
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81ox2Dk9JrL._SS500_.jpg)
To be honest, though,
La giara is one of the rare instances in which the concert suite includes everything that is really worthwhile in the score and feels "complete" and fully coherent; the complete ballet doesn't really add that much more IMHO. For the suite, I'm very fond of the
Christian Benda recording on Naxos (with tenor
Marco Beasley really seductive in the vocal number, "
La storia della fanciulla rapita dai pirati"). The vintage Decca recording conducted by
Fernando Previtali (reissued in a great twofer by Australian Eloquence with other Italian music more or less from the same period) also made a very good impression on me when I first listened to it recently.
Something unusual is how (apparently) Casella reused the slow movement from his 1st Symphony in his 2nd. Where is it supposed to belong?
https://www.youtube.com/v/KDslVGf7OTQ
A great work, indeed. Dedicated to Enescu. The Frankfurt orchestra "au grand complet" are wonderfully committed .
P.
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on April 21, 2020, 03:12:42 PM
Yes, yes! Another firm favorite of mine. I like both Chandos and Naxos recording of it. And there is another recording which I haven't listened to it yet. This:
(https://direct.rhapsody.com/imageserver/images/alb.266695361/600x600.jpg)
Oh dear! More temptation ::)
Quote from: Maestro267 on April 21, 2020, 11:51:08 PM
Something unusual is how (apparently) Casella reused the slow movement from his 1st Symphony in his 2nd. Where is it supposed to belong?
From Naxos:
The slow third movement of Casella's Second Symphony—the first part he completed (early in 1908)—is simply the central movement of his First Symphony, with a single bar added at its midpoint, and reorchestrated in a far more Mahler-like manner; it even keeps the original key of F sharp minor, a tritone away from the Second Symphony's C. Curiously, the musical material sometimes seems ill at ease in its new clothes, the first version feeling a better fit—with the exception of the theme that Casella adopts to germinate the Second Symphony's 'Epilogue'. Casella's finale, albeit less monumental than the epic apotheosis of Mahler's Second, traces a similar trajectory from darkness to triumphant C major light, marching through frequent reminiscences of Mahler's later symphonies, the Third, Sixth and Seventh.
https://www.naxos.com/mainsite/blurbs_reviews.asp?item_code=8.572414&catNum=572414&filetype=About%20this%20Recording&language=English
It remains unclear why he reused that movement. The work was premiered in april 1910 - so he might have been in a hurry...?
Quote from: pjme on April 22, 2020, 06:24:14 AM
From Naxos:
The slow third movement of Casella's Second Symphony—the first part he completed (early in 1908)—is simply the central movement of his First Symphony, with a single bar added at its midpoint, and reorchestrated in a far more Mahler-like manner; it even keeps the original key of F sharp minor, a tritone away from the Second Symphony's C. Curiously, the musical material sometimes seems ill at ease in its new clothes, the first version feeling a better fit—with the exception of the theme that Casella adopts to germinate the Second Symphony's 'Epilogue'. Casella's finale, albeit less monumental than the epic apotheosis of Mahler's Second, traces a similar trajectory from darkness to triumphant C major light, marching through frequent reminiscences of Mahler's later symphonies, the Third, Sixth and Seventh.
https://www.naxos.com/mainsite/blurbs_reviews.asp?item_code=8.572414&catNum=572414&filetype=About%20this%20Recording&language=English
Very interesting, thanks!
QuoteIt remains unclear why he reused that movement. The work was premiered in april 1910 - so he might have been in a hurry...?
Laziness? Perhaps he thought nobody would notice? ;D
Quote from: ritter on April 21, 2020, 11:32:40 PM
The only recording I know of the complete La giara I know of is this, on the small La Bottega Discantica label from Italy:
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81ox2Dk9JrL._SS500_.jpg)
To be honest, though, La giara is one of the rare instances in which the concert suite includes everything that is really worthwhile in the score and feels "complete" and fully coherent; the complete ballet doesn't really add that much more IMHO. For the suite, I'm very fond of the Christian Benda recording on Naxos (with tenor Marco Beasley really seductive in the vocal number, "La storia della fanciulla rapita dai pirati"). The vintage Decca recording conducted by Fernando Previtali (reissued in a great twofer by Australian Eloquence with other Italian music more or less from the same period) also made a very good impression on me when I first listened to it recently.
Excellent, ritter. Thanks for your illuminating response. I'll investigate then.
Quote from: pjme on April 22, 2020, 06:24:14 AM
From Naxos:
The slow third movement of Casella's Second Symphony—the first part he completed (early in 1908)—is simply the central movement of his First Symphony, with a single bar added at its midpoint, and reorchestrated in a far more Mahler-like manner; it even keeps the original key of F sharp minor, a tritone away from the Second Symphony's C. Curiously, the musical material sometimes seems ill at ease in its new clothes, the first version feeling a better fit—with the exception of the theme that Casella adopts to germinate the Second Symphony's 'Epilogue'. Casella's finale, albeit less monumental than the epic apotheosis of Mahler's Second, traces a similar trajectory from darkness to triumphant C major light, marching through frequent reminiscences of Mahler's later symphonies, the Third, Sixth and Seventh.
https://www.naxos.com/mainsite/blurbs_reviews.asp?item_code=8.572414&catNum=572414&filetype=About%20this%20Recording&language=English
It remains unclear why he reused that movement. The work was premiered in april 1910 - so he might have been in a hurry...?
Interesting. I'll keep this in mind when I revisit the 2nd these days.
Quote from: pjme on April 22, 2020, 06:24:14 AM
It remains unclear why he reused that movement. The work was premiered in april 1910 - so he might have been in a hurry...?
Maybe he was copying his hero, Mahler, in how Mahler would also frequently recycle preexisting material like songs showing up in Symphony No. 1, 2, 3, at least thematically if not intact.
Thought I would revive this thread...
From this "Listening" thread -
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 07, 2022, 05:46:49 AM
NP:
Casella
La Giara, Op. 41
Riccardo Caruso, tenor
Orchestra I.C.O. Lecce
Marco Balderi
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/518XTKS2JSL._SS500.jpg)
The suite of La Giara is quite good, but it's so nice hearing the complete version of it as so much great music is always left out in these suites. Excellent performance and sound quality, too.
Although Rafael does bring up an interesting point:
Quote from: ritter on April 21, 2020, 11:32:40 PM
The only recording I know of the complete La giara I know of is this, on the small La Bottega Discantica label from Italy:
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81ox2Dk9JrL._SS500_.jpg)
To be honest, though, La giara is one of the rare instances in which the concert suite includes everything that is really worthwhile in the score and feels "complete" and fully coherent; the complete ballet doesn't really add that much more IMHO. For the suite, I'm very fond of the Christian Benda recording on Naxos (with tenor Marco Beasley really seductive in the vocal number, "La storia della fanciulla rapita dai pirati"). The vintage Decca recording conducted by Fernando Previtali (reissued in a great twofer by Australian Eloquence with other Italian music more or less from the same period) also made a very good impression on me when I first listened to it recently.
Not sure if I had given Casella's Triple Concerto (1933) a listen before, but glad I did it today. This composer rarely disappoints, this is a terrific work where the piano, violin and cello are perfectly integrated in the musical discourse, hooking from the ominous introduction and as a whole features propulsive energy tinged with certain acerbic harmonic touches in the outer movements (even some mildly reminding of Hindemith), and as usual with him, the slow movement emphasizes the soulful very effectively. The recording below sounded rather fine to me. There are at least other two recordings of this piece, which is a good indication about how good it is.
(https://cdn.naxosmusiclibrary.com/sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/C71099.jpg)
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on November 05, 2023, 07:48:14 PMNot sure if I had given Casella's Triple Concerto (1933) a listen before, but glad I did it today. This composer rarely disappoints, this is a terrific work where the piano, violin and cello are perfectly integrated in the musical discourse, hooking from the ominous introduction and as a whole features propulsive energy tinged with certain acerbic harmonic touches in the outer movements (even some mildly reminding of Hindemith), and as usual with him, the slow movement emphasizes the soulful very effectively. The recording below sounded rather fine to me. There are at least other two recordings of this piece, which is a good indication about how good it is.
(https://cdn.naxosmusiclibrary.com/sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/C71099.jpg)
Don't know much of his music Cesar but I think very highly of Symphony No.2
Is Jurowski common Russian name? How many are there conductors named Jurowski?
A bunch of them are related. Vladimir's father Mikhail was a conductor, and *his* father (also Vladimir) was a composer.
The other conductor on that album is also part of a famous conducting family - Kurt, Stefan, Michael, and Thomas Sanderling are father and sons.
Quote from: vandermolen on November 06, 2023, 01:17:33 AMDon't know much of his music Cesar but I think very highly of Symphony No.2
Me too, works that come from dark to light appeal to me very much. Have you ever tried his other two symphonies, Jeffrey? The Third one is particularly powerful with a very moving slow movement and is often considered as his best symphony.
- Music In My Time - The Memoirs of Alfredo Casella
ç 1941*
*Romanian-proof!
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on November 06, 2023, 02:26:36 PMMe too, works that come from dark to light appeal to me very much. Have you ever tried his other two symphonies, Jeffrey? The Third one is particularly powerful with a very moving slow movement and is often considered as his best symphony.
Yes I have Cesar. I remember being especially impressed by the 3rd Symphony (I think that I have a recording on Naxos) but must listen to it again.
Quote from: vandermolen on November 07, 2023, 12:16:30 AMthe 3rd Symphony (I think that I have a recording on Naxos)...
There is also this one.
Quote from: Scion7 on November 07, 2023, 03:51:02 AMThere is also this one.
Thanks - I have that CD as well.
Good music from a pretty pleasant fellow, by all accounts.
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on November 05, 2023, 07:48:14 PMNot sure if I had given Casella's Triple Concerto (1933) a listen before, but glad I did it today. This composer rarely disappoints, this is a terrific work where the piano, violin and cello are perfectly integrated in the musical discourse, hooking from the ominous introduction and as a whole features propulsive energy tinged with certain acerbic harmonic touches in the outer movements (even some mildly reminding of Hindemith), and as usual with him, the slow movement emphasizes the soulful very effectively. The recording below sounded rather fine to me. There are at least other two recordings of this piece, which is a good indication about how good it is.
(https://cdn.naxosmusiclibrary.com/sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/C71099.jpg)
Indeed, it's a very fine work! As with the accompanying Violin Concerto on that disc, the touching and contemplative slow movement is perhaps the highlight. In fact, I don't know a single work by Casella which manages to be less than impressive. A remarkably consistent composer in my book!
Casella's second symphony as performed by the Bucheon PhO in South Korea.