Various Composers - Overtures / Intermezzi / Preludes [Gavazzeni-Orchestra Del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino]This is a lovely disc, only the second time i've played it, i last played just over a year ago [17th November 2010], what's so great about this disc, is that it contains music that i wouldn't otherwise have, a really clever mix of some unknown items, it's discs like this that introduce me to new pieces, as well as giving me a smattering of the more well known.
Gianandrea Gavazzeni is Italian, he died about 15 years ago, and this disc was recorded in 1957-1958, the sound isn't perfect, a bit of analogue hiss, and maybe a bit sharp, not enough warmth and bass, but still great for its age, the booklet front cover is truly lovely, and excellent portrait of Gavazzeni [by Leonardo Cendamo], nice pose looking up, and i love the hat!, nice colours too, as well as the lettering, a great product all round.
Well this was an enlightening listen, i enjoyed very much those pieces which were unfamiliar to me, probably my favourite piece is the last item on the disc, Ponchielli's 'Dance Of The Hours', tremendous rhythms and ideas, and great orchestration too, with some excellent use of unusual sounds, but on this listen i found myself drawn to Catalani's La Wally Prelude, like i said, this is only the second listen to this piece,
Here's Catalani's Prelude to Act 4 of La Wally being played on YouTube, and conducted by Gavazzeni.
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