Brahms & Martucci: Two Sonatas and Two Romances for Cello and Piano
9/25/2020, 9 Tracks, 59:19
Featuring
Luigi Piovano
Antonio Pappano
Giuseppe Martucci
Johannes Brahms
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Interpretation
The recording uses a Steinway piano from 1878, which Antonio Pappano found almost perfect for Brahms's sonatas, offering 'ghostly pianissimos' and bass sonorities reminiscent of Brahms's cigars.
Recording & Production
This recording was made in a private villa in the Tuscan countryside, hosted by a friend, to create a warm and intimate atmosphere, avoiding the coldness and stress of a typical recording studio.
Performer Biography
Luigi Piovano, the cellist on this recording, has been the first cello soloist of the Orchestra of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia for over twenty years.
Historical Context
The album brings together works by Johannes Brahms, a German master, and Giuseppe Martucci, a younger Italian composer, reflecting Italy's recent unification and its ambition to compete in European symphonic and instrumental music.
Instruments
Luigi Piovano plays a rare Alessandro Gagliano cello from 1710, described as having a powerful, velvety, and fascinating sound, with a red-brown varnish reminiscent of the Cremonese School.
Album & Artwork
The graphic design of the album, created by Emilio Lonardo, is inspired by the 'Chladni Figures' — visible geometric patterns formed by sound vibrations on a sand-strewn metal plate.
Performer Biography
Antonio Pappano, the pianist, is the Music Director of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, and the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Rome.
