Martucci Collection

Composer Giuseppe Martucci (1)
Artist Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma
Quartetto Noferini
Maria Semeraro piano
Luca Braga violin
Lucia Pittau piano
Roberto Trainini cello
Massimiliano Ferrati piano
Alberto Miodini piano
Chiarastella Onorati mezzo-soprano
Luisa Prayer piano
Format 10 CD
Cat. number 96920
EAN code 5028421969206
Release May 2024

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About this release

The most comprehensive collection ever released of Giuseppe Martucci’s music, in stylish modern recordings by native Italian musicians.

An Italian Brahms is an unlikely idea, but it encapsulates a superficial acquaintance with the music of Giuseppe Martucci (1856-1909). Any listener curious to take a deeper dive into the richly Romantic melodies and impassioned large-scale structures of Martucci will find no better place to start than this survey of his major works in every instrumental genre.

Martucci grew up in Naples as the son of a military bandmaster, and this background seems to have instilled in him a creative impulse to swim against the operatic tide of native composers, and focus his energies on writing instrumental music. He was an accomplished pianist, received with great enthusiasm on tours of France, Germany and England, and the tremendous sweep of his Piano Concerto loses nothing by comparison with far more familiar examples.

Brought to life here by Alberto Miodini, the piano music, too, is intensely wrought, but it never loses a pre-eminence of melody which was Martucci’s heritage. In 1888 he conducted the Italian premiere of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde; his song-cycle La canzone dei Ricordi, written a year earlier, is the closest he came to translating the opera’s chromatic eroticism into his own music, and this box affords the opportunity to hear the piece in both its orchestral and piano versions; no less enlightening than (for example) the distinct versions of the Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss. CD10 collects Martucci’s other songs for soprano, such as the remarkable Pagine sparse of 1888. Other highlights of the set include Martucci’s deep investment in chamber music, resulting in piano trios, violin and cello sonatas, and a magnificently brooding Piano Quintet, again in the Brahmsian mould.

- Giuseppe Martucci (1856-1909) stands as a prominent figure in Italian musical history, celebrated for his contributions as a composer, conductor, and pianist. Born in Capua, Italy, Martucci demonstrated remarkable musical talent from a young age. His early studies in Naples under Beniamino Cesi and Paolo Serrao paved the way for a career marked by innovation and artistic depth.
- Martucci's compositions reflect a synthesis of Romantic and classical influences, showcasing a deep understanding of form and harmony. His orchestral works, including symphonies, piano concertos, as well as his chamber music, reveal a mastery of orchestration and a commitment to exploring new expressive possibilities. His style is a happy and individual mix of Wagner and Verdi, dramatic chromatism softened by lyrical, bel canto style melodies. His works are appreciated for their melodic richness, harmonic sophistication, and inventive orchestration.
- Included in the collection are Martucci’s complete orchestral works, including the symphonies and piano concertos, chamber music, piano music and songs.
- This set is the first in a projected series titled “Italian Romantics”, featuring (late) romantic composers and repertoire, representatives of the rich musical tradition and heritage of Italy.

Critical praise for these recordings
‘This is a remarkably fine disc and a real “find”.’ (Music for Cello and Piano) Fanfare

‘Gorgeous music, gorgeous playing, gorgeous recording; this one is not to be missed.’ (Piano Concerto No.1) Fanfare

‘Maria Semeraro has a strong feeling for the music, with plenty of chops to back it up.’ (Piano and Chamber Music) Fanfare

‘Francesco La Vecchia has under him in the Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma a better ensemble than Muti did at the time in his La Scala Philharmonic… Unhesitatingly recommended.’ (Symphony No.1, etc) Fanfare

Listening

Track list

Disk 1

  1. Giuseppe Martucci: Symphony No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 75: I. Allegro
  2. Giuseppe Martucci: Symphony No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 75: II. Andante
  3. Giuseppe Martucci: Symphony No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 75: III. Allegretto
  4. Giuseppe Martucci: Symphony No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 75: IV. Mosso – Allegro risoluto
  5. Giuseppe Martucci: 3 Pezzi, Op. 61: III. Giga
  6. Giuseppe Martucci: 3 Pezzi, Op. 65: II. Canzonetta
  7. Giuseppe Martucci: 3 Pezzi, Op. 69: II. Andante
  8. Giuseppe Martucci: 2 Nocturnes, Op. 70: I. Notturno

Disk 2

  1. Giuseppe Martucci: Symphony No. 2 in F Major, Op. 81: I. Allegro moderato
  2. Giuseppe Martucci: Symphony No. 2 in F Major, Op. 81: II. Scherzo. Allegro vivace
  3. Giuseppe Martucci: Symphony No. 2 in F Major, Op. 81: III. Adagio, ma non troppo
  4. Giuseppe Martucci: Symphony No. 2 in F Major, Op. 81: IV. Allegro
  5. Giuseppe Martucci: Theme and Variations, Op. 58
  6. Giuseppe Martucci: Gavotta, Op. 55 No. 2
  7. Giuseppe Martucci: Tarantella, Op. 44 No. 6

Disk 3

  1. Giuseppe Martucci: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 40: I. Allegro
  2. Giuseppe Martucci: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 40: II. Andante
  3. Giuseppe Martucci: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 40: III. Allegro
  4. Giuseppe Martucci: La canzone dei ricordi, Op. 68b: I. No, svaniti non sono i sogni
  5. Giuseppe Martucci: La canzone dei ricordi, Op. 68b: II. Cantava‘l ruscello la gaia canzone
  6. Giuseppe Martucci: La canzone dei ricordi, Op. 68b: III. Fior di ginestra
  7. Giuseppe Martucci: La canzone dei ricordi, Op. 68b: IV. Su‘l mar la navicella
  8. Giuseppe Martucci: La canzone dei ricordi, Op. 68b: V. Un vago mormorío mi giunge
  9. Giuseppe Martucci: La canzone dei ricordi, Op. 68b: VI. Al folto bosco, placida ombria
  10. Giuseppe Martucci: La canzone dei ricordi, Op. 68b: VII. No, svaniti non sono I sogni

Disk 4

  1. Giuseppe Martucci: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 66: I. Allegro giusto
  2. Giuseppe Martucci: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 66: II. Larghetto
  3. Giuseppe Martucci: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 66: III. Allegro con spirito
  4. Giuseppe Martucci: Momento musicale e minuetto
  5. Giuseppe Martucci: Novelletta, Op. 82 No. 2
  6. Giuseppe Martucci: Serenata, Op. 57 No. 2
  7. Giuseppe Martucci: Colore orientale, Op. 44 No. 3

Disk 5

  1. Giuseppe Martucci: Piano Trio No. 1 in C Major, Op. 59: I. Allegro giusto
  2. Giuseppe Martucci: Piano Trio No. 1 in C Major, Op. 59: II. Scherzo (Allegro molto)
  3. Giuseppe Martucci: Piano Trio No. 1 in C Major, Op. 59: III. Andante con moto
  4. Giuseppe Martucci: Piano Trio No. 1 in C Major, Op. 59: IV. Finale (Allegro risoluto)
  5. Giuseppe Martucci: Piano Quintet in C Major, Op. 45: I. Allegro giusto
  6. Giuseppe Martucci: Piano Quintet in C Major, Op. 45: II. Andante con moto
  7. Giuseppe Martucci: Piano Quintet in C Major, Op. 45: III. Scherzo (Allegro vivace)
  8. Giuseppe Martucci: Piano Quintet in C Major, Op. 45: IV. Finale (Allegro con brio)

Disk 6

  1. Giuseppe Martucci: Piano Trio No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 62: I. Allegro
  2. Giuseppe Martucci: Piano Trio No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 62: II. Scherzo (Allegro molto)
  3. Giuseppe Martucci: Piano Trio No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 62: III. Adagio
  4. Giuseppe Martucci: Piano Trio No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 62: IV. Finale (Allegro vivace)
  5. Giuseppe Martucci: Momento musicale (Andante con moto)
  6. Giuseppe Martucci: Minuetto (Allegro)
  7. Giuseppe Martucci: 3 Pieces of G.F. Haendel: I. Minuetto (Moderato)
  8. Giuseppe Martucci: 3 Pieces of G.F. Haendel: II. Musetta (Andante)
  9. Giuseppe Martucci: 3 Pieces of G.F. Haendel: III. Gavotte (Allegro)

Disk 7

  1. Giuseppe Martucci: Sonata in G Major, Op. 22: I. Allegro passionato
  2. Giuseppe Martucci: Sonata in G Major, Op. 22: II. Andante con moto
  3. Giuseppe Martucci: Sonata in G Major, Op. 22: III. Allegro molto
  4. Giuseppe Martucci: Melodia allegretto
  5. Giuseppe Martucci: 3 Pezzi, Op. 67: I. Andantino con moto
  6. Giuseppe Martucci: 3 Pezzi, Op. 67: II. Allegretto
  7. Giuseppe Martucci: 3 Pezzi, Op. 67: III. Allegro passionato
  8. Giuseppe Martucci: 2 Pezzi, Op. 24: I. Andante cantabile
  9. Giuseppe Martucci: 2 Pezzi, Op. 24: II. Serenata napoletana
  10. Giuseppe Martucci: Gondoliera, Op. 29: I. Andantino mosso

Disk 8

  1. Giuseppe Martucci: Sonata in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 52: I. Allegro giusto
  2. Giuseppe Martucci: Sonata in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 52: II. Scherzo. Allegro molto – Trio. Allegretto
  3. Giuseppe Martucci: Sonata in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 52: III. Intermezzo. Andantino flebile
  4. Giuseppe Martucci: Sonata in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 52: IV. Allegro
  5. Giuseppe Martucci: 3 Pezzi, Op. 69: I. Moderato
  6. Giuseppe Martucci: 3 Pezzi, Op. 69: II. Andante
  7. Giuseppe Martucci: 3 Pezzi, Op. 69: III. Allegro
  8. Giuseppe Martucci: 2 Romanze, Op. 72: I. Andantino con moto
  9. Giuseppe Martucci: 2 Romanze, Op. 72: II. Moderato
  10. Giuseppe Martucci: Romanza: I. Allegretto

Disk 9

  1. Giuseppe Martucci: 6 Pezzi, Op. 44: I. Capriccio. Allegro risoluto
  2. Giuseppe Martucci: 6 Pezzi, Op. 44: II. Pezzo fantastico. Allegro
  3. Giuseppe Martucci: 6 Pezzi, Op. 44: III. Colore orientale. Tempo di marcia – Poco più mosso
  4. Giuseppe Martucci: 6 Pezzi, Op. 44: IV. Barcarola. Andantino con moto – Animato
  5. Giuseppe Martucci: 6 Pezzi, Op. 44: V. Notturno. Moderato, ma non troppo – Animato molto e con agitazione
  6. Giuseppe Martucci: 6 Pezzi, Op. 44: VI. Tarantella. Allegro molto
  7. Giuseppe Martucci: Novella, Op. 50
  8. Giuseppe Martucci: Fantasia, Op. 51
  9. Giuseppe Martucci: 2 Notturni, Op. 70: I. Nocturne in G-Flat Major. Moderato
  10. Giuseppe Martucci: 2 Notturni, Op. 70: II. Nocturne in F-Sharp Minor. Andantino

Disk 10

  1. Giuseppe Martucci: La canzone dei ricordi, Op. 68b: I. No, svaniti non sono i sogni….
  2. Giuseppe Martucci: La canzone dei ricordi, Op. 68b: II. Cantava il ruscello…
  3. Giuseppe Martucci: La canzone dei ricordi, Op. 68b: III. Fior di ginestra…
  4. Giuseppe Martucci: La canzone dei ricordi, Op. 68b: IV. Sul mar la navicella…
  5. Giuseppe Martucci: La canzone dei ricordi, Op. 68b: V. Un vago mormorio…
  6. Giuseppe Martucci: La canzone dei ricordi, Op. 68b: VI. Al folto bosco…
  7. Giuseppe Martucci: La canzone dei ricordi, Op. 68b: VII. No, svaniti non sono…
  8. Giuseppe Martucci: Pagine sparse, Op. 68: I. Quanti affetti del cor…
  9. Giuseppe Martucci: Pagine sparse, Op. 68: II. Vengo quando dal ciel…
  10. Giuseppe Martucci: Pagine sparse, Op. 68: III. Presso un vecchio monastero…
  11. Giuseppe Martucci: Pagine sparse, Op. 68: IV. Forse ritorna ancora?
  12. Giuseppe Martucci: Pagine sparse, Op. 68: V. Amor che fai la vita lusinghiera…
  13. Giuseppe Martucci: Pagine sparse, Op. 68: VI. Vorrei teco…
  14. Giuseppe Martucci: Sogno d’amore
  15. Giuseppe Martucci: Sogno di morte
  16. Giuseppe Martucci: 3 Pezzi, Op. 84: I. Maggiolata
  17. Giuseppe Martucci: 3 Pezzi, Op. 84: II. Pianto antico
  18. Giuseppe Martucci: 3 Pezzi, Op. 84: III. Nevicata
  19. Giuseppe Martucci: Romanza