Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

The rather singular figure of Gaetano Pugnani (prone to luxury, exhibitionist, and with a lively desire for glory) stands out remarkably in the eighteenth-century music scene. Prodigy child (at the age of ten he was already in the orchestra of the Teatro Regio of Turin) he became one of the leading violinists and composers of the time in Piedmont. He was born in 1731 in Turin where he lived most of his life and where he died. Yet, his great violinistic virtuosity crossed the Italian borders as he toured and held concerts in all major European capitals where he was highly appreciated by the greatest critics and musicians of the era. His violinistic style tributes Corelli through the mediation of his master Giovanni Battista Somis. The Concerti included in this album perfectly represent the virtuosity and musicality of the Italian style that also allowed Somis to enchant all major theaters in Europe. Roberto Noferini, an exceptional performer, plays the solo violin improvising in the style of the era. He is accompanied by the Orchestra Nuove Assonanze directed by Alan Freiles Magnatta.

Classical Music

'Note di gusto - musimen� all'italiana' is a culinary-based musical project for 3 recitative-singing voices and an ensemble. The three sopranos are emblematic of the historical 'division' of the Italian peninsular (North/ Centre /South). Besides each singing a song linked to their own home region they share their recipes, thus creating a common thread aimed at uniting their voices at least through an 'ideal' Italian cuisine. They sing 20 recipes, one from each Italian region, born of tradition, chosen and collected by me based on purely 'emotional' criteria, which link my personal imaginative powers to my culinary (and musical) experience in each region. All the recipes were set to music with the initial inspiration being the linguistic idiom in which they were 'told', testimonies of popular oral culture linked to the musical matrix of a song which for me was particularly representative and identifiable with each region. This is a true regional recipe book highlighting different territorial traditions, a showcase of music and singing from north to south, from east to west, following where possible geographical regional borders in a search for the immense wealth and vast cultural musical and culinary heritage. (Roberta Vacca)

Classical Music

Classical Music

On this sixth volume of Alessandro Scarlatti's opera omnia for keyboard, once again the star is the eighteenth century Italian Anonymous Ferrarese harpsichord owned by Francesco Tasini. Toccatas, Arpeggi, Introduzioni, and even the famous "Folly of Spain," are contained in this volume featuring the brilliant and rich harmonics of the precious historical instrument. Extremely interesting is the interpretation by Francesco Tasini, that - absolute master of the period performance practice - succeeds in giving us a perfect understanding of the correct approach to the compositions by Alessandro Scarlatti, true founder of the Neapolitan keyboard School. Francesco Tasini studied at the Conservatories of Bologna and Milan, graduating cum laude in Organ and Organ Composition, and Harpsichord and Composition. He is a member of the Accademia Filarmonica di Bologna, and of the Diocesan Commissions of Sacred Music of the Archdiocese of Bologna and of the Diocese of Ferrara.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Giuseppe Martucci was admired and appreciated by his contemporaries Franz Liszt and Anton Rubinstein, and was an outstanding performer and teacher, as well as composer. This new release presents his Sonata in fa diesis minore op. 52, Due romanze per violoncello con accompagnamento di pianoforte op. 72, and Tre pezzi per violoncello e pianoforte op. 69. Performing these works is cellist Jacopo Francini and pianist Alessandro Deljavan.

Classical Music

Classical Music

The "Scherzi Musicali a tre voci di Claudio Monteverde, raccolti da Giulio Cesare Monteverde suo fratello, et nuovamente posti in luce" ("collected by his brother Giulio Cesare Monteverde and revealed again"), were published in 1607 by Ricciardo Amadino in Venice, and dedicated to "Serenissimo S. Don Francesco Gonzaga Prencipe di Mantova, et si Monferrato." These are 18 compositions selected and edited by Giulio Cesare Monteverdi: 17 "Scherzi," strophic songs written by Claudio, except for the last two by Giulio Cesare himself, and a wider concluding ballet, "De la bellezza le dovute lodi." Even with light and schematic compositions such as "Scherzi," the rules of the "Seconda Prattica" do not fail: new polyphonic technique, innovative use of dissonance, original concertation and, above all, great importance to the lyrics, with a strong dramatic power, before harmony and rhythm. The set is a masterpiece of the history of music of that time, in the mark of eternal quarrel between ancient and modern. The EsaEnsemble, a female vocal group directed by Sergio Chierici and accompanied by the instrumental ensemble Baschenis, effectively deals with this important work by the great genius of the Renaissance, in a colorful variety of vocal and instrumental organics supported by a wide use of period instruments.