ERMANNO WOLF-FERRARI (1876-1948): 6 Bagatelle, 11 Variazioni sul Menuetto del “Falstaff” di G. Verdi, Chopin-Phantasie in B Minor, Scherzino (all First Recordings), 3 Impromptus, Op. 13, 3 Pieces, Op. 14.

Description: 43 minutes of unrecorded music: an early, substantial (19-minute) Bagatelle that Wolf-Ferrari left unfinished marked by theatricality and high contrast, as one would expect from an experienced composer for the stage, and a beguiling variety of other first recordings here, all dating from Wolf-Ferrari’s prodigious twenties when he was the toast of new Italian music. Costantino Catena (piano).