Casella: Chamber Music

On this CD:

1. Sicilienne et Burlesque for flute & piano, Op 23
Composed by Alfredo Casella
Performed by Ex Novo Ensemble

2. Sinfonia for clarinet, trumpet, cello & piano, Op. 53
Composed by Alfredo Casella
Performed by Ex Novo Ensemble

3. La Giara, ballet Prelude and Danza Siciliana
Composed by Alfredo Casella
Performed by Ex Novo Ensemble

4. Serenata for small orchestra, Op. 46bis Cavatina
Composed by Alfredo Casella
Performed by Ex Novo Ensemble

5. Serenata for small orchestra, Op. 46bis Gavotte
Composed by Alfredo Casella
Performed by Ex Novo Ensemble

6. Scarlattiana for piano & chamber orchestra, Op. 44 Minuet
Composed by Alfredo Casella
Performed by Ex Novo Ensemble

7. Barcarola and Scherzo for flute & piano, Op. 4
Composed by Alfredo Casella
Performed by Ex Novo Ensemble

8. Sonata a Tre for piano, violin & cello, Op 62
Composed by Alfredo Casella
Performed by Ex Novo Ensemble

Tracks:

Fantasia In C Minor, Op. 35: Adagio molto - Allegretto
Sonata No. 2 In E Flat: 1. Allegro assai
Sonata No. 2 In E Flat: 2. Romance. Adagio non tanto
Sonata No. 2 In E Flat: 3. Rondeau. Allegretto
Suite bergamasque: Clair de lune
Ten Pieces, Op.12: No.7 Prelude
Sonata per arpa: 1. Allegro vivace
Sonata per arpa: 2. Sarabande. Grave, solenne
Sonata per arpa: 3. Finale. Tempo di marcia, vivo e festoso
Sicilienne variee
Contemplation: Andante religioso
Jazz Band: Fouguesement
Impromptu, Op. 68: Allegro molto moderato

Customer Reviews:

SOMETHING TO HARP ABOUT!!!.......2000-10-27

Here's a quality potpourri waiting to be listened to. Romantic and modern. Unknown and immediately familiar. Sonatas. Sundries. Reductions of piano works. Something for everyone who loves music, a beautifully and cogently blended mix played with sublime grace and appeal by harpist Naoko Yoshino, supported by a warmly detailed sound image.

In her hands, repertoire staples, such as the Spohr and Rosetti, remain charming still and though one may cavil a bit at the inclusion of the requisite "Clair de lune" of Debussy (or, I suppose, it could have been "The Girl With the Flaxen Hair," instead), this, too, pleases. Newer delights include the beautiful Casella Sonata for Harp, Prokofiev's "Prelude," Renie's "Andante religioso," and Damase's "Sicilienne." Then, of course, there's the gorgeous Faure "Impromptu."

THE HEALING HARP. A better name for this gracious compilation doesn't exist, and it offers an immediate way to relax, unwind or merely contemplate. There's something so peaceful about the resonance of the harp, so therapeutic, so calming; it makes the worries of this modern day frenzy slough off.

Naoko Yoshino has the magic touch.

[Running time: 69:02]

THE MOST RELAXING HARP RECORDING EVER!.......1999-08-14

If you like relaxing classical music this is a must! Mrs Yoshino is a master of the Harp. I wish that more music from her were available.

Average customer rating:

Enticing Music from the "Back to Bach" Movement

Klassizische Moderne, Vol. 3

Manufacturer: Arte Nova Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
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Christopher Hogwood Conducts Martinu, Stravinsky, Honegger
Klassizische Moderne, Vol. 2
Martinu: Fantaisies symphoniques; Fresques; Juliette
Martinu: Works for Violins and Orchestra
Piano Concertos of the 1920s

ASIN: B0009ML2MY
Release Date: 2005-06-14

Tracks:

Sinfonia: Allegro Moderato
Serenata: Larghetto
Scherzino
Allegro
Andantino
Tarantella
Toccata: Allegro
Gavotta Con Due Variazioni: Allegro Moderato
Vivo
Minuetto: Molto Moderato
Finale: Allegro Assai
I. Allegro, Marcato Il Ritmo
II. Andante, Alquanto Mosso
III. Allegro, Un Poco Rude
IV. Lento
V. Allegro, Molto Vivo
I. Sinfonia
II. Minuetto
III. Capriccio
IV. Pastorale
V. Finale

Album Description

"HOGWOOD'S CLASSICAL EDUCATION SHOWS IN THESE NICELY POINTED RECORDINGS:The third installment of Christopher Hogwood's `modern classicism' project puts some well-known Stravinsky in the context of two less familiar Italian compositions written at much the same time. The Pulcinella Suite is played with great rhythmic buoyancy, the comic Vivo and hectic finale done with exemplary panache. But Hogwood doesn't neglect warmth of expression, especially in the Gavotte with Two Variations, which often seems a bit dull in other performances...Neither Casella nor Malipiero are much heard these days, but the two works presented here have more than enough spirit to merit revival. True, Casella's Scarlattiana has retained little of the `decadence' that was once attributed to it: `decorous', or even `bland' would be more appropriate terms, though there is plenty of good-humoured fast music and a few neat contrapuntal turns to liven up its Scarlattian reworkings.

The five linked sections of Malipiero's Ricercari for 11 instruments manage more emotional depth, with some nice touches of pastoral melancholy to offset the neo-Stravinskian ebullience. Malipiero doesn't attempt to emulate Stravinsky's harmonic abrasiveness, but the piece is neatly designed and attractively scored. Hogwood and his accomplished team make a strong case for it - all the stronger for avoiding any hint of over-emphasis."-GRAMOPHONE

Customer Reviews:

Enticing Music from the "Back to Bach" Movement.......2007-04-18

The Gramophone reviewer quoted on this page has pretty much hit the nail on the head in the description of these neoclassical pieces and in Hogwood's delivery of them. Of the three works included here, the almost-unknown Malpiero's Ricercari is the most seriously intentioned. Also, surprisingly, given that Stravinsky just about singlehandedly invented musical modernism, the Ricercar is most modernist of the bunch.

Casella's little confection is the prettiest of the three, with some nice contributions from a busy percussion section, including piano. (And, given that Scarlatti wrote for the Spanish court, Casella rightly includes castinets in one section of his Scarlattiana.) It is also the most episodic, without the constructional glue that Stravinsky and Malpiero found to hold their works together. Ultimately, Scarlattiana is a bit vapid for all its attractiveness. You may not return to it as often as to the other pieces, but it is fun to hear nonetheless.

While you might already have Stravinsky's famous work in your collection, Hogwood's performance, with a fine contribution from tenor Anthony Spiri in the brief vocal numbers, is about as good as I've heard--lots of forward momentum, lots of color from the fine chamber orchestra. Also, the Arte Nova engineers provide a recording that is very present without being hard edged or overbearing; there is a nice sense of ambience as well.

So for an introduction to a forgotten composer who has something to say (Malpiero) or for a state-of-art performance of a lesser masterwork by a twentieth-century master (Stravinsky), this is an attractive package. Arte Nova's low price, as always, is a nice incentive to collectors as well. Enjoy.

Average customer rating:

Amazing CD at a bargain price !
a virtuoso pianist & composer

Introducing Easley Blackwood

Manufacturer: Cedille
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00004YLF3
Release Date: 2000-09-19

Album Description

The program includes movements from Blackwood's Clarinet Sonata, Op. 31; Twelve Microtonal Etudes; and String Quartet No. 3; movements from Ives' "Concord" Sonata and Elliott Carter's Cello Sonata; and solo piano works by Blackwood, Nielsen, and Casella.

NEW - Special Budget-priced "Cedille Artist" Compilations The four titles in the series showcase the label's most prolific recording artists (Dmitry Paperno, Easley Blackwood, David Schrader, and Patrice Michaels). If you haven't heard these outstanding artists yet, the new, budget-priced Cedille Artist series makes for an easy introduction to these acclaimed, Chicago-based musicians. These generous compilations - all over 70 minutes long - come with many complete works, not just short excerpts. Each is programmed to demonstrate the musician's full range of artistry over a wide variety of music styles.

Customer Reviews:

Amazing CD at a bargain price !.......2003-08-13

Masterful performances and wonderful recordings. There is an abundance of magic on this disc: Artistry , dedication and musical integrity can be felt throughout but in a warm embracing way . You get hit with lots and lots of notes in rapid succession but they are fluid and lyrical and create an impression that remains long after the last note has faded.
Varied and consistently excellent is how I would describe this offering. Very highly recommended. *****

a virtuoso pianist & composer.......2002-02-11

This is a sampling of Easley Blackwood's artistry as pianist and composer. His skill as pianist is remarkable, and he interprets the music of 4 other composers on this disc, as well as 6 of his own compositions. Tracks 4-6, Carl Nielsen's "Three Pieces, Op. 59", out of his "Radical Piano" CD, is great, and in Blackwood's hands sparkles...and the most "modern" selection on this disc, the Moderato from Elliot Carter's "Sonata for Cello and Piano", with Barbara Haffner on cello is another favorite.

Amazon.com

This may be the only recorded classical piano recital in which you're likely to burst into "From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli," since the music of the Marine Corps' anthem stems from an Offenbach operetta duet, performed here in Hamelin's edition of Jakob Gimpel's piano arrangement. That's an indication of the fun you'll hear among the 20 piano miniatures in this recital. There's also a truckload of superior salon music: tuneful, often sentimental pieces favored by 19th century pianists and audiences. And there are plenty of pianistic fireworks, too, as in Hamelin's gloss on a Paganini-Liszt étude and Josef Hofman's dazzling Kaleidoskop, which gives the disc its title. Throughout, Hamelin plays with his usual virtuosity, demonstrating mastery of various styles, from waltzes to technical exercises and even jazz, as in Kapustin's Toccatina. Several works on the disc are by composers even keyboard buffs will not have heard of, but everything clicks. First-rate sonics, too. Piano fanciers won't want to miss this one. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

A pleasing variety of piano miniatures.......2003-12-11

This CD is another must-have for Marc-Andre Hamelin fans. The rarities on this album make it a true treasure, with all its diversity and freshness. Hamelin's own "Campanella" etude is an interesting addition to the several arrangements already set forth by Liszt. Jakob Gimpel's "Song of the Soldiers at Sea" is a fantastic virtuosic piece that would serve well as a final encore (and Mr. Hamelin has done other pianists a great service in bringing this piece back to life and to the printing press, available through redheiferpress.com). Blumenfeld's etude for the left hand is poetically played, showing how a piece for a single hand can have great musical value and not just be an 'exercise' for the hand. Kapustin's Toccatina is a delightful jazzy piece, in the spirit of some of Vince Guaraldi's "Peanuts" music, with a catchy beat that will have the listener dancing with glee.
These are but four pieces out of the 20 Mr. Hamelin has chosen for this recital. All have their musical merits and each would add spark and a fascinating variety to the piano recital, which is too often composed of recycled repertoire.

Give the Man a Break.......2003-06-05

I read many of the reviews of "Kaleidescope" and have come to the conclusion that some of the people who listened to this disc simply did NOT understand it. Marc-Andre Hamelin is not trying to offer you the "real classics." The standard piano literature does not constitute a large part of ANY of his discs. I believe that this recording is simply UNPARRALLED. It presents selection of salon music, archaic virtuoso pieces, as well as some original "transcriptions." I believe the his musicality transcends the average virtuosos interpretation of music. Instead of "packing a punch" by accentuating individual aspects of a line, or a phrase, Hamelin is able to make all of these, albeit "poor compositions", come to life by being cognizant and function as a whole. Furthermore, there are people who may attack a transcription as being unorthodox. No, this is simply a presentation of a virtuoso's "take" or feelings concerning a piece. For we do not EVER see things as they truly are, but rather as WE are. You will NOT find Liszt "La Campanella" on "Kaleidescope". No, instead, you will see Hamelin in every turn of phrase. I think this is VASTLY more valuable. It allows us to see Hamelin. (Remember, Liszt transcribed the orginal CONCERTO!) Enjoy this CD--its truly wonderful.

Where's Liberace when you need him?.......2002-05-18

What's the deal with Hamelin? I don't know.
As fast as a player piano and just about as musical.
The works don't have any substance either.

Divine Madness And Other Fun.......2002-04-20

This recording should come with a warning not to listen to more than few tracks at a time! Even pianophiles will be spoilt on this sampler of bon bons.

Hamelin teases us with another addition to his incomplete set of virtuoso etudes. The third etude, after Paganini-Liszt, is absolutely uproarious. Hamelin also gives Jakob Gimpel's (who?) Offenbach transcription a performance worthy of the pre-retirement Horowitz. This alone is worth the price of admission.

There is a rendition of the Blumenfield left-hand etude that is on par if not better than any of Simon Barere's famous recordings. And, since Shura is no longer with us it is nice to hear Josef Hofmann's Kaleidoskop once again in capable hands. Hofmann's Nocturne receives a resurrection as well. There is a ravishingly beautiful piece which Hamelin has adapted from Glazunov's The Seasons. But, the piece I could not stop playing over and over was the infectiously rythmic Kasputin Toccatina--true virtuoso jazz!

Leopold Godowsky accused Theodore Leschetizky of setting the art of piano playing back a hundred years. Hamelin has set back most of today's pianists at least that much. The only thing missing here is the kitchen sink; Hamelin has thrown everything else in. The only thing missing here is Rubinstein's Staccato Etude and the Melody in F. Not exactly a balanced recital, but marvelous fun. If you love piano, you have to have this! It's better than the entire Kissin discography combined.

Divine Madness And Other Fun.......2002-04-20

This recording should come with a warning not to listen to more than few tracks at a time! Even pianophiles will be spoilt on this sampler of bon bons.

Tracks:

Cinq Bagatelles: Ov
Cinq Bagatelles: Petite March
Cinq Bagatelles: Valse
Cinq Bagatelles: Reverie
Cinq Bagatelles: Retraite
Son: Massig Bewegt
Son: Lebhaft
Son: Ruhig Bewegt
Sechs Stucke Fur Klavier Zu Vier Handen: Andante Gracioso
Sechs Stucke Fur Klavier Zu Vier Handen: Poco Allegro
Sechs Stucke Fur Klavier Zu Vier Handen: Rasch
Sechs Stucke Fur Klavier Zu Vier Handen: Andante
Sechs Stucke Fur Klavier Zu Vier Handen: Lebhaft, Rasch
Sechs Stucke Fur Klavier Zu Vier Handen: Allegro Molto
Finnlandische Volksweisen, Op.27: Andante Molto Espressiivo; Allegretto Moderato
Finnlandische Volksweisen, Op.27: Andantino
Pupazzetti, Op.27: Marcietta
Pupazzetti, Op.27: Berceuse
Pupazzetti, Op.27: Serenata
Pupazzetti, Op.27: Nottumino
Pupazzetti, Op.27: Polka
Nel Belgio: Sfilata Di Artiglieria Pesante Tedesca
In Francia: Davanti Alle Rovine Della Cattedrale Di Reims
In Russia: Carica Di Cavalleria Cosacca
In Alsazia: Croci Di Legno...
Nell' Adriatico: Corazzate Italiane In Crociera
Fox Trot
La Valse (1919-20)

Average customer rating:

Casella: Chamber Music

Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004U658
Release Date: 2000-08-22

Tracks:

Sicilienne And Burlesque, Op.23: Siciliana: Andantino Languido E Dolce
Sicilienne And Burlesque, Op.23: Burlesca: Presto Vivace
Sinf, Op.53: Largo, Solenne - Allegro Molto Vivace
La Giara: Prld And Danza Siciliana: Andantino Dolce E Molto Moderato, Quasi Pastorale - Allegro Vivo
Serenata: Cavatina: Adagio Un Poco Sentimentale, Ma Senza Parodia
Serenata: Gavotte: Vivacissimo
Scarlattiana: Minuetto: Allegretto Ben Moderato E Grazioso
Barcarola And Scherzo, Op.4: Barcarola: Allegretto, Ben Moderato, Alla Barcarola
Barcarola And Scherzo, Op.4: Scherzo: Presto Assai - Vivace Molto - Presto Assai
Trio Son, Op.62: I. Intro: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Trio Son, Op.62: II. Andante Cantabile, Quasi Adagio
Trio Son, Op.62: III. Finale (Tempo Di Giga)

Orient & Occident: Works for Symphonic Band

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Orient & Occident: Works for Symphonic Band
Camille Saint-Saens , Camillo De Nardis , Ottorino Respighi , Alfredo Casella , Arthur Honegger , Darius Milhaud , and Laszlo Marosi
Manufacturer: Hungaroton
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
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British Wind Band Classics

ASIN: B00006IZPJ
Release Date: 2002-09-24

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Alfredo Casella: Piano Music

Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Toccatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000063CT
Release Date: 1998-03-17

Tracks:

Toccata - Sandro Ivo Bartoli/Marcello Guerrini
A Notte Alta - Sandro Ivo Bartoli/Marcello Guerrini
Undici Pezzi Infantili: Prld - Sandro Ivo Bartoli
Undici Pezzi Infantili: Valse Diatonique (Sui Tasti Bianchi) - Sandro Ivo Bartoli
Undici Pezzi Infantili: Canone (Sui Tasti Neri) - Sandro Ivo Bartoli
Undici Pezzi Infantili: Bolero - Sandro Ivo Bartoli
Undici Pezzi Infantili: Omaggio A Clementi - Sandro Ivo Bartoli
Undici Pezzi Infantili: Siciliana - Sandro Ivo Bartoli
Undici Pezzi Infantili: Giga - Sandro Ivo Bartoli
Undici Pezzi Infantili: Minuetto - Sandro Ivo Bartoli
Undici Pezzi Infantili: Carillon - Sandro Ivo Bartoli
Undici Pezzi Infantili: Berceuse - Sandro Ivo Bartoli
Undici Pezzi Infantili: Galop Final - Sandro Ivo Bartoli
Due Ricercari Sul Nome 'B.A.C.H': Funebre - Sandro Ivo Bartoli
Due Ricercari Sul Nome 'B.A.C.H': Ostinato - Sandro Ivo Bartoli
Pagine Di Guerra (Pno Duet, Op.25) Quattro 'Films' Musicali: Nel Belgio: Sfilata D'Artiglieria... - Sandro Ivo Bartoli/Marcello Guerrini
Pagine Di Guerra (Pno Duet, Op.25) Quattro 'Films' Musicali: In Francia: Davanti Alle Rovine... - Sandro Ivo Bartoli/Marcello Guerrini
Pagine Di Guerra (Pno Duet, Op.25) Quattro 'Films' Musicali: In Russia: Carica Di Cavalleria Cosacca - Sandro Ivo Bartoli/Marcello Guerrini
Pagine Di Guerra (Pno Duet, Op.25) Quattro 'Films' Musicali: In Alsazia: Croci Di Legno - Sandro Ivo Bartoli/Marcello Guerrini

Flûte Panorama, Vol. 2: Paris-Leipzig 1900

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Style and expression

Flûte Panorama, Vol. 2: Paris-Leipzig 1900

Manufacturer: Skarbo
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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Flute Music From Paris 1920-1960
French Flute Music

ASIN: B000004A5O
Release Date: 1996-08-01

Customer Reviews:

Style and expression.......2007-06-29

Debost's sound is not my favorite--to me it sounds fuzzy and thin, with a mechanical, shallow vibrato. HOWEVER, once I got past that, I realized just how beautifully he interpreted the music. These are great cd's for flutists to listen to for ideas on interpretation of these repertoire standards. Debost has recorded almost the entire "French book" here.

This set is worth the price!

Alfredo Casella: Serenade for Clarinet, Bassoon, Trumpet, Violin & Cello / Ildebrando Pizzetti: Trio in A Major for Violin, Cello & Piano / Nino Rota: Trio for Flute, Violin & Piano - Ex Novo Ensemble

Average customer rating:

Alfredo Casella: Serenade for Clarinet, Bassoon, Trumpet, Violin & Cello / Ildebrando Pizzetti: Trio in A Major for Violin, Cello & Piano / Nino Rota: Trio for Flute, Violin & Piano - Ex Novo Ensemble
Alfredo Casella , Ildebrando Pizzetti , Nino Rota , and Ex Novo Ensemble
Manufacturer: Stradivarius
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001987
Release Date: 1995-12-12

Tracks: