Not all Italian
Brian | Ohio, United States | 05/02/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"For a CD titled "Il Contrabasso Italiano", it is surprising to see the Eccles sontata and Bloch "Prayer" included. The CD has the potential to provide us with a "second opinion" of the concerto attributed to Dragonetti, but it is too similar to the Gary Karr recording to really be considered different. The tempos and interpretation are very similar. Massimo's pitch has some funky moments in the third movement, but overall the entire CD is well played and includes orchestra accompaniment to pieces that are seldom heard at all and usually then only with piano (the two Bottesini pieces, for instance). The balance is pretty good between the orchestra and soloist, but Giorgi's tone is rather mellow and is best appriciated on good headphones."