Search - Ottorino Respighi, Ewald Danel, Howard Griffiths :: Ottorino Respighi: Concerto in modo misolidio; Concerto a cinque

New Found Favorite

Matt Barger | Little Rock, AR | 12/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I recently bought this disk and have fallen in love with the music. As usual, Naxos delivers a powerfull recording of a lesser known piece at a very manageable price! The Mixolydian Concerto for piano and orchestra is played marvelously. The piano both sparkles and brakes with intensity worthy of Respighi's own praise. The use of big orchestral sounds and extreme dynamics will be familiar to anyone who enjoys Respighi. The first movement is a energetic frolic in the key of G mixolydian. The treatment of the chant here is very interesting. The second movement begins very slowly with a beautiful melody. The second movement melds into the third with a quick rhythmic pick up. The entire work is colored with original harmonies and melodic treatments that are given proper treatment in this performance. Also available on this disk is an interesting chamber work. The instrumentation chosen is very unique. Notable is the trumpeter who is able to achieve an impressive dynamic balance with the rest of the ensamble. (piano, oboe, violin, bass) The Concerto a cinque is at first less accessible than most of Respighi's works due to it's dissonances and themes, but listeners with an ear for 20th Century music will find this piece gratifying. All in all, anyone who enjoys early twentieth century music will fall in love with this music as I have."