Ferdinando Carulli: Complete Works for Guitar & Fortepiano

Ferdinando Carulli: Complete Works for Guitar & Fortepiano [BOX SET]
Classical | APE | Covers + Booklet | 8CDs | 261+213+248+241+214+262+203+234MB

Composer: Ferdinando Carulli (1770-1841)
Performer: Leopoldo Saracino (guitar), Massimo Palumbo (fortepiano)
Audio CD (January 24, 2006)
Number of Discs: 8
Format: Box set, Import
Label: Brilliant Classics
ASIN: B000A1L8DM

On this eight CD boxed set release from Brilliant Classics of the complete works of Carulli for guitar and fortepiano the two soloists have chosen to use authentic instruments, for which the music would have been intended. Furthermore I am thankful to guitarist Leopoldo Saracino and pianist Massimo Palumbo for following period performance practice and recreating that original Carulli sound. But be warned, as it may take some time for the ear to become accustomed to the timbre of the authentic instruments. The sound of the guitar and the fortepiano sometimes overlapped and sounded so similar at times that I could not easily tell which instrument was which. To have used a modern concert-grand piano and a Spanish guitar, their present-day counterparts, would have sounded so very different.

The performances of both Saracino and Palumbo are commendable throughout showing consistent sensitivity and delightfully engaging playing. On CD 1 the Gran Duos op. 70 and op. 86 must surely rank amongst the most difficult and also the most appealing of Carulli’s works and the soloists display the requisite blend of virtuosity and imagination. In homage to the composer, Carulli transcribed several works from the operas of Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868) including the popular Mélange on Rossini’s themes op.236 (CD 2), the Deux Duos sur des thèmes de Rossini op.233 (CD 4) and the substantial Choix de douze ouvertures de Rossini, which at around 103 minutes long in total, is divided into two parts, completely filling both CD 5 and CD 6. Transcriptions of large orchestral and operatic works were extremely popular in Carulli’s day as they allowed the public to encounter music they wouldn’t normally be able to hear. The three Duos of op. 189 (CD 7) were most likely composed for the use of amateur players. These undemanding pieces are most endearing and are delightfully performed by our two soloists. In these Carulli transcriptions Saracino and Palumbo profitably play in keeping with the spirit and letter of Rossini’s unhurried, solemn, thoughtful and playful tunes and melodies. I was also impressed with the eminently persuasive and precise playing in the noble and significant four movement Gran Duo op.63 (CD 8).

On this CD:

CD1: 261MB
Gran Duo in E minor op.86
Trois Petits Duos op.92
Gran Duo in D major op.70
Trois Valzer op.32

CD2: 213MB
Mélange on Rossini’s themes op.236 n.
Deux Nocturnes op.131
Duo in D major op.37
Trois Sonatines op.196b

CD3: 248MB
Duo in C major op.11
Variations de Beethoven in F major op.169
Nocturne in G major op.127
Gran Duo in A major op.45

CD4: 241MB
Deux Duos sur des thèmes de Rossini op.233
Duo in D major op.134
Duo in C major op.135
Duo in C major op.130
Duo in G major op.151

CD5: 214MB
Choix de douze ouvertures de Rossini - Part One 1:
Cenerentola, ouverture
Bianca e Falliero, ouverture
L’Italiana in Algeri, ouverture
Tancredi, ouverture
Otello, ouverture
L’Inganno felice, ouverture

CD6: 262MB
Choix de douze ouvertures de Rossini - Part Two:
Il Barbiere di Siviglia, ouverture
La Gazza Ladra, ouverture
Semiramide, ouverture
Torvaldo e Dorriska, ouverture
Edoardo e Cristina, ouverture
Armida, ouverture

CD7: 203MB
Duo in A major op.189 n.1
Duo in G major op.189 n.2
Duo in D major op. 189 n.3
Duo in A major op.65
Notturno in A major op.208
Rondò in D major

CD8: 234MB
Gran Duo in A major op.63
Grande Marche composée sur Agthe in C major op.161
Grande Marche de Ries in D major op.168
Fantasie composée différents motifs de Fiorella, musique de Auber in A major
Solo in D major op.207 n.1

COVERS: 18MB

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