GOFFREDO PETRASSI (1904-2003): Piano Concerto, Suite from the Ballet La Follia di Orlando, Partita.

Catalogue Number: 07O010
Label: Stradivarius
Reference: STR 33824
Format: CD
Price: $17.98
Description: Petrassi came to professional composition late, meaning that these works, chronologically as listed above from 1936-39, 1942-45 and 1932, are early pieces. While still in conservatory, the Partita won a prize and was selected for performance at the ISCM Festival. The critical response was "Hindemith sweetened by Casella", which is apt. The 32-minute concerto is a very kinetic, sometimes dark and thunderous, sometimes bright and virtuosic ride whose rhythmic intensity rarely lets up. The ballet suite is as wildly colorful and brilliantly orchestrated as music from a setting of "Orlando Furioso" should be. Alfonso Alberti (piano), RAI National Symphony Orchestra; Arturo Tamayo.