Sony Classical label – Year 2018
For the first time together, on one CD, three Concertos for cello and orchestra by great 20th century composers unjustly forgotten: Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (first Italian recording), Gian Francesco Malipiero and Riccardo Malipiero (first world recording).
With the RAI National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Massimiliano Caldi.
Reviews
The CD contains, for the first time together, the Concertos for cello and orchestra by three great Italian composers long forgotten or perhaps simply misunderstood: the Florentine Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (whose 50th death anniversary in 2018, 1895-1968, first Italian recording), the Venetian Gian Francesco Malipiero (1882-1973) and the Milanese Riccardo Malipiero (1914-2003, first world recording). Also Italian all performers: Silvia Chiesa, the Rai National Symphony Orchestra and Milanese conductor Massimiliano Caldi.
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco wrote the Concerto for Cello and Orchestra for Gregory Pyatigorsky, who commissioned it after admiring the one for violin written for Jascha Heifetz. It was first performed by the legendary Russian virtuoso under the baton of Arturo Toscanini in New York on January 31, 1935.
Gian Francesco Malipiero ‘s Concerto was finished in the beloved villa in Asolo (Treviso) on October 28, 1937 and was first performed in Belgrade (January 31, 1939) by dedicatee Enrico Mainardi. ( John C. G. Waterhouse , it is a “compact page that enhances the dialogue between soloist and orchestra, an emblematic manifestation of an expressive happiness of neoclassical coinage” ).
Imprinted with “serial” writing, the Concerto by Riccardo Malipiero (grandson of Gian Francesco, his father’s brother): was first performed at the Teatro alla Scala on October 30, 1957, by Catalan cellist Gaspar Cassadó. It is dedicated to his father Riccardo, a talented cellist as well as a composer and teacher.
Artistic judgment: Excellent-Exceptional
Three authentic pearls in their genre, once again proving that the Italian instrumental twentieth century had nothing to envy in comparison with the German, Austrian, French and European in general. Technically difficult, complex concerts, delineated in a tight encounter/confrontation of the cello with the orchestral material. Once again, Silvia Chiesa proved herself at ease with works of this kind, tackled with passion and lucidity, unfolding a sound that always adheres to the characteristics of each of these concerts, excellently supported by Massimiliano Caldi and the RAI symphonic ensemble, capable of untangling highly demanding scores.
Technical judgment: Outstanding
At first glance, one is struck by the energetic, powerful dynamics of the solo instrument and the orchestra, the latter standing slightly behind in terms of sound space, allowing an ideal relationship with the cello. The result, then, is a confident tonal balance, with the never-invasive presence of both (listen to the “tutti” with the cello). Detail also emphasizes a comforting materiality.
(Andrea Bedetti – musicvoice.com – July 2018)
The very high artistic and technical level achieved in this all-Italian triptych sees the contribution, in addition to Silvia Chiesa as soloist, of the excellent Massimiliano Caldi, conductor who led the RAI National Symphony Orchestra for the occasion.
(nonsoloaudiophiles.com – Alfredo Di Pietro – October 2018)