Four discs of 19th century (mostly) pianistic delights, rarities and transcriptions for 2, 4, and 6 hand piano! DISC ONE: CHARLES-VALENTIN ALKAN (1813–88) : Variations quasi fantaisie in B-Flat Major, Op. 16 No. 6, BENJAMIN GODARD (1849–95) : Scènes Italiennes, Op. 126 - No. 3 in A-Flat Major, Tarantelle, THEODORE DUBOIS (1837–1924) : Vingt pièces nouvelles - No. 15, Sorrente, CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS (1835–1921) : Album, Op. 72 - No. 5, Chanson napolitaine, FRANCIS POULENC (1899–1963) : Napoli, suite pour le piano - I. Barcarolle - II. Nocturne - III. Caprice italien, HENRI TOMASI (1901–71) : Tarantelle, CLAUDE DEBUSSY (1862–1918) : Préludes, Premier Livre, No. 5, Les collines d'Anacapri - L'Isle joyeuse, THÉODORE LACK (1846–1921) : Caprice-tarentelle, Op. 190, CÉCILE CHAMINADE (1857–1924) : Chanson napolitaine, Op. 82, EUGÈNE NOLLET (1828–1904) : Les noces de Polichinelle, Op. 75, HENRI ROSELLEN (1811–76) : Santa Lucia, Op. 168, GABRIEL PIERNÉ (1863–1937) :15 Pièces, Op. 3 - No. 15, Tarantelle. Souvenir de Naples, HENRI HERZ (1803–88) : Rondo-Capriccio sur La muette de Portici, Op. 44. Daniele Adornetto, piano.

Description: This little clutch of piano discs for two, four, and six hands offers the pianophile a plethora of delights, with a good deal of seldom- if ever - heard repertoire. Adornetto's recital highlights music by a wide range of 19th and 20th century French composers inspired by Italy (and in many cases, specifically, Naples). These range from classical-romantic pieces by Herz (the most romantic of the 19th century works here, distinctly Schumannesque), Nollet, and Rosellen's charming variations to Poulenc's cheeky three-movement suite. Tomasi's Tarantella is the most "modern" - meaning, not all that modern at all - piece here, deconstructing the familiar dance with the rhythm clearly recognisable but the melody toyed with, with affectionate irony. Pierné has fun with his lively tarantella as well, incorporating the Neapolitan song "Funiculi funicula". Lack contributes an unpretentious, tuneful little tarantella, and Chaminade , a romanticised Neopolitan song. Alkan's early variations on a Neapolitan barcarolle sounds like virtuosic early Beethoven, while the highly ornamented, extravagantly showy yet melodically memorable Saint-Saëns couldn’t be by anyone else. Daniele Adornetto, piano.