Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Piano Music
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco is best known for two things – his evocative guitar music, and his work during his long association with the movie industry in Hollywood, where he produced some amazing scores though never quite receiving the fame of his compatriot Nino Rota. His extensive body of piano music has been largely neglected despite the fact that it is exceptional, impressionistic, and in the best post-Romantic tradition of ‘lighter’ music – though only relatively ‘light’ in that it is written in traditional harmony. Never shallow, but highly suggestive of moods, emotions, places and colors. Many of the works in this album are receiving their first recording.
Alfonso Soldano is a brilliant Italian pianist, the last and highly- regarded pupil of Aldo Ciccolini whose debut recording (piano music of Sergei Bortkiewicz) attracted worldwide acclaim. He is naturally attuned to the Romantic which makes him an ideal interpreter of this music. He has just been appointed Artistic Director of the Aldo Ciccolini Academy in Trani, Italy.
Track Listing
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Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco
- Notturno in Hollywood*
- Alt Wien, Op. 30
- Vitalba e Biancospino, Op. 21
- Cantico, Op. 39
- Sonatina Zoolologica, Op. 187 - I. Libellule*
- Sonatina Zoolologica, Op. 187 - II. Chiocciola*
- Sonatina Zoolologica, Op. 187 - III. Lucertolina*
- Sonatina Zoolologica, Op. 187 - IV. Formiche*
- 2 Film Etudes, Op. 67 - I. Charlot
- 2 Film Etudes, Op. 67 - II. Topolino
- Cielo di Settembre, Op. 1
- Piedigrotta 1924, Op. 32 - I. Tarantella
- Piedigrotta 1924, Op. 32 - II. Notte 'e Luna
- Piedigrotta 1924, Op. 32 - III. Calasciunate
- Piedigrotta 1924, Op. 32 - IV. Voce Luntana
- Piedigrotta 1924, Op. 32 - V. Lariula
Reviews
““Charming” is a word that applies to a great deal of the music here. It is not surprising that the composer was a success in Hollywood. His ear for colors and his ability to create pictures with his music is apparent throughout. Alfonso Soldano gives the music good, solid performances… this is a very attractive disc with some very nice discoveries.
” —Henry Fogel
“This new record release allows us to better understand one of the many compositional facets of the Florentine musician, one dedicated to piano works. Alfonso Soldano’s reading turns out to be ideal.
” —Andrea Bedetti
“All delightfully presented. Soldano definitely relishes all of the peculiarities of the composer’s writing. Great sound and praiseworthy notes.
” —Alan Becker
“While a lot is made of his Hollywood links, this doesn’t sound like film music; it’s technical but romantic, and always easy to listen to. Soldano is a marvellous pianist and the music seems to flow from his fingers like water.
” —Jeremy Condliffe
“[The composer] never let go of the unique flavour that marks his writing. He always favoured the modernists and held a high regard for the French impressionists. Soldano is very at home with this repertoire, revealing a connection far beyond what academic understanding alone can forge. It’s a real pleasure to hear this music presented by an artist who clearly believes in its revival.
” —Alex Baran
“The Italian pianist Alfonso Soldano plays a highly entertaining program. The interpretations seem very natural and balanced, leaving in the music the charm that characterizes it.
” —Remy Franck
“[The composer] taught film music, and his pupils included Henry Mancini, John Williams and André Previn. And his musical style owes much to Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel… fascinating and imaginative. The playing by Alfonso Soldano is excellent and informed, and is presented with obvious enthusiasm and understanding of this relatively rare repertoire.
” —John France
““Unfortunately [the composer’s] piano music has been largely neglected despite the fact that it is exceptional, impressionistic, and in the best post-Romantic tradition… never shallow, but highly suggestive of moods, emotions, places and colors. Played by the brilliant Italian pianist Alfonso Soldano. He is naturally attuned to the Romantic which makes him an ideal interpreter of Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s music” – John Pitt (New Classics)
” —John Pitt
““Nicely packaged, splendidly engineered, intelligently annotated and, most important, played to perfection by Alfonso Soldano, the album is a gem – one cannot help but marvel at the variety of moods in this ever-changing music. Alfonso Soldano proves himself a masterful interpreter of this music… [he] is a pianist of the first order and his Castelnuovo-Tedesco album a thing to treasure.” – Rafael de Acha (Rafael Music Notes)
” —Rafael de Acha
