The four pieces on this album, while speaking a universal language, are described as very Italianate: virtuosic, with energetic rhythms, warm expressions, captivating harmonies, and a great sense of melody.
Composition History
Luigi Dallapiccola's Piccolo Concerto per Muriel Couvreux was performed in Rome in 1941, with the composer as soloist, and is dedicated to Muriel Couvreux, the seven-year-old daughter of a Parisian friend.
Historical Context
Despite Italy's immense impact on Western music, Italian piano concertos are consistently missing from the standard repertoire.
Critical Reception
Silvio Omizzolo's Concerto per pianoforte e orchestra won third prize at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels in 1969, being the only work by an Italian composer chosen for that occasion.
Performer Biography
Pianist Roberto Prosseda is known for championing Italian contemporary music and rediscovering piano music from old masters, and is the driving force behind this project.
Composer Biography
Guido Alberto Fano, a composer on this album, suffered the horror of the 'racist' racial laws promulgated in 1938 by the fascist regime in Italy.
Album & Artwork
This album features four Italian piano concertos, two of which are first recordings, spanning from 1900 to 2015.
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