Heute mir, morgen dir
Terry J. Lehane | 09/25/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Giuseppe Martucci (1856 to 1909) lived at a time when international influence was invading national flavor. He was born in Capua and died in Naples. Yet I do not find much "Italian" in his music. Martucci was admired by the likes of Liszt, Anton Rubinstein, and Toscanini. Ottorini Respighi was one of his composition students.
Martucci's Second Piano Concerto, a composition of monumental proportions and technical difficulties, saw many performances, including one conducted by Toscanini with the composer as soloist. Toscanini is reported to have said "I shall be surprised if he can cope with all the problems he has set himself." Martucci performed the work brilliantly. Gustav Mahler conducted this same concerto in his very last concert, at Carnegie Hall in February of 1911.
I didn't know Martucci until I bought this excellent (and economical) collection. He is solid, sensitive, and full of purpose. His music is late Romantic. If you didn't know better you might guess it came out of Austria. The first CD of this 4 CD set won the Grand Prix du Disque de l'Academie Charles Cros.
Martucci is find of rare quality."
Don't hesitate - buy
G. Griesel | South Africa | 09/30/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Martucci's music is beautiful and this is a high quality set of CDs. Good value for money. I recommend it."