It was Wagner's music that inspired Dallapiccola to start composing, and it was Debussy's that caused him to stop (for a whole three years, in order to give this important influence time to sink in), but it was the ideas of the Second Viennese School, which Dallapiccola encountered in the 1930s, that would have the biggest influence on his style and with which he is most associated today. In this fascinating release we explore the middle period of the composer's career, a period in which Dallapiccola wrote the vast majority of his instrumental compositions and in which his harnessing of the serialist method for lyrical effect can also be observed (namely in the Quaderno musicale di Annalibera, dedicated to the composer's daughter on the occasion of her eighth birthday). What emerges from the variety of works on this recording – which effectively comprise his complete output for solo piano and violin and piano duo – is the composer's penchant for strict form and technique, from his regular use of canon (the Sonatina canonica's title betrays its structure) to his fascination for Italian Baroque counterpoint (the Tartiniana seconda is another example of this), but most of all his questing approach to composition, which tends towards the contemplative and philosophic.
Maria Clementi and Luca Fanfoni draw on their Baroque and contemporary music performing experience to deliver masterful interpretations of these works. Both are acclaimed performers in their right who enjoy international careers; past recitals include Leipzig's Gewandhaus and Carnegie Hall in New York, and both artists have broadcast live on radio and television. This is their first recording for Brilliant Classics.
Luigi Dallapiccola (1904-1975) was one of the most fascinating composers of 20th century Italy. Influenced in his youth by Wagner and Debussy he later “converted” to the 12-tone technique of the 2nd Viennese School. His works in this style feature strict forms (with hints of Neo Baroque counterpoint) and an expression of lyrical warmth and beauty (sometimes sorely missing in 12-tone compositions by other, more severe masters).
This new recording presents his complete output for solo piano and for the combination of violin and piano.
Excellent performances by two leading Italian soloists: violinist Luca Fanfoni and pianist Maria Clementi, a duo which already gave concerts in the Leipzig Gewandhaus and Carnegie Hall New York.
Notes on the music and artist biographies.
Other information:
Recorded 13–16 April 2014, Bartók Studio, Bernareggio, Milan, Italy.
Luigi Dallapiccola: Tre episodi from Marsiafor Piano: I. Angoscioso
Luigi Dallapiccola: Tre episodi from Marsia for Piano: II. Ostinato
Luigi Dallapiccola: Tre episodi from Marsia for Piano: III. Sereno
Luigi Dallapiccola: Sonatina canonica su “Capricci” di Niccolò Paganini for piano: I. Allegretto comodo
Luigi Dallapiccola: Sonatina canonica su “Capricci” di Niccolò Paganini for piano: II. Largo
Luigi Dallapiccola: Sonatina canonica su “Capricci” di Niccolò Paganini for piano: III. Andante sostenuto
Luigi Dallapiccola: Sonatina canonica su “Capricci” di Niccolò Paganini for piano: IV. Alla Marcia. Moderato
Luigi Dallapiccola: Due Studi for Violin and Piano: I. Sarabanda
Luigi Dallapiccola: Due Studi for Violin and Piano: Fanfara e fuga
Luigi Dallapiccola: Quaderno musicale di Annalibera for Piano: I. Simbolo
Luigi Dallapiccola: Quaderno musicale di Annalibera for Piano: II. Accenti
Luigi Dallapiccola: Quaderno musicale di Annalibera for Piano: III. Contrapunctus primus
Luigi Dallapiccola: Quaderno musicale di Annalibera for Piano: IV. Linee
Luigi Dallapiccola: Quaderno musicale di Annalibera for Piano: V. Contrapunctus secundus
Luigi Dallapiccola: Quaderno musicale di Annalibera for Piano: VI. Fregi
Luigi Dallapiccola: Quaderno musicale di Annalibera for Piano: VII. Andantino amoroso e contrapunctus tertius
Luigi Dallapiccola: Quaderno musicale di Annalibera for Piano: VIII. Ritmi
Luigi Dallapiccola: Quaderno musicale di Annalibera for Piano: IX. Colore
Luigi Dallapiccola: Quaderno musicale di Annalibera for Piano: X. Ombre
Luigi Dallapiccola: Quaderno musicale di Annalibera for Piano: XI. Quartina
Luigi Dallapiccola: Tartiniana seconda divertimento for Violin and Piano: I. Pastorale
Luigi Dallapiccola: Tartiniana seconda divertimento for Violin and Piano: II. Tempo di bourrée
Luigi Dallapiccola: Tartiniana seconda divertimento for Violin and Piano: III. Presto. Leggerissimo
Luigi Dallapiccola: Tartiniana seconda divertimento for Violin and Piano: IV. Variazioni. a) Decisamente, b) Maestoso, c) Tranquillo, d) Doloroso (Canon per augmentationem, contrario motu), e) Alla sarabanda (Canon cancrizans), f) Deciso; duramente (Canon ad hypodiapason), g) Con gagliardìa 5’47
