Serenata Napoletana: Music for Mandolin and Piano

Ferrari, Giacomo

95096

“Vedi Napoli e poi muori”; “See Naples and die.” As the famous expression goes, there is nowhere in the world more beautiful than Naples, so once there, there is no need to go any further. This release invites you to experience a Neapolitan evening, or Serenata Napoletana, with a collection of beautifully soothing music for the mandolin and piano. Although at the end of the 19th century Naples was more famous for its songs than its instrumental music, it was actually a highly innovative period for the mandolin. Indeed, the two forms developed closely alongside each other, with some features crossing both vocal and instrumental music; the uniquely Neapolitan melodic lines come across strongly in both the voice and the mandolin, and the accompaniments also contain similarities, with the piano on this disc clearly invoking the flute that would normally accompany a singer. This release brings together 12 different composers to offer a fascinating selection of the music of this time, none of which has ever been recorded before. Almost all the featured composers studied or taught at Naples’ renowned conservatoire, San Pietro a Majella, where the mandolin was given serious treatment as a classical instrument for the first time. These pieces are a fitting counterpart to the long established tradition of the Neapolitan canzone, and any lover of Romantic music will find themselves instantly transported to one of Italy’s most seductive and evocative cities.

Works:
• Ancona: Nenia d'amore
• Arienzo: Serenata napoletana
• Calveri: Serenatella
• Coppola, S: Serenata
• Crescenzo, C: Serenata
• Munier: Serenata napoletana
• Poppi: Serenata romantica
• Romaniello: Suite
• Romano, N: Mormorio d'amore
• Serrao: Trois Morceaux
• Silvestri, G: Fantasia di concerto
• Sorrentino: Plenilunio

CD x 1

Brilliant Classics

2019-11-13

5028421950969