Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco was one of the most successful and remarkable composers of the first half of the 20th century in Italy. His style is influenced by Neo-Classicism, vivid, brilliant, with the occasional odd dissonance, strongly rhythmical and full of catchy melodies. He fled Anti-semitism before WWO2, and settled in Hollywood where he successfully composed film music for more than 200 films.

This new recording presents a selection of chamber music for clarinet, violin, cello and piano, in various combinations: the most substantial is the Piano Trio Op. 70, also featured are the Clarinet Sonata, the Cello Sonata Op. 50 and Pastorale and Rondo, Op. 185 for all 4 instruments. Evocative, dream-like and melancholy music alternates with exciting, rhythmically driven dances.

Played with feeling and conviction by the Ensemble Italiano, with Mauro Tortorelli (violin) Pierluigi Bernard (clarinet), Massimo Macrì (cello) and Angela Meluso (piano).

This ensemble previously issued a recording of Castelnuovo- Tedesco with the complete works for violin and piano (BC 95642).