Nino Rota studied at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, where he met Aaron Copland and was influenced by George Gershwin's blend of Broadway, Hollywood, and avant-garde music.
Composer Biography
Nino Rota was a child prodigy, conducting his own oratorio, written at age eight, when he was twelve years old.
Composition History
The two Cello Concertos by Nino Rota were written consecutively between 1972 and 1973, serving as a 'diptych' that showcases both romantic and classical aspects of his style.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in June 2010 in the hall of the Reischlersche Wirtschaftsschule, with Annette Schumacher as producer and Manfred Schumacher as sound engineer.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Nino Rota, the composer, believed his music should be remembered for its nostalgia, humor, and optimism.
Critical Reception
Nino Rota's success in film music, particularly for works like Fellini's La Strada and Coppola's The Godfather, led some critics to dismiss him as not being a 'serious' composer.
Instruments
Friedrich Kleinhapl, the cellist on this recording, plays a Giovanni Battista Guadagnini cello from 1743, on loan from the Austrian National Bank's instrument collection.
