Alfredo Casella's album "Casella: Concerto for Orchestra, A notte alta & Symphonic Fragments from La Donna Serpente" is a captivating journey through the neoclassical genre, released on May 1, 2012, under the Chandos label. This album offers a rich and diverse collection of works, showcasing Casella's mastery of orchestral composition.
The album opens with the "Concerto for Orchestra, Op. 61," a three-movement piece that highlights Casella's ability to create dynamic and engaging music. The first movement, "Sinfonia," sets the stage with its powerful and dramatic opening, while the second movement, "Passacaglia," offers a more introspective and reflective mood. The final movement, "Inno," brings the concerto to a triumphant close with its energetic and uplifting themes.
Next, the album presents "A notte alta, Op. 30a," a five-movement work that explores a range of emotions and moods. The first movement, "Lento molto, misterioso. Grave," begins with a sense of mystery and intrigue, while the second movement, "Andante molto tranquillo e calmo, quasi adagio. Un poco movendo," offers a more serene and peaceful atmosphere. The third movement, "Agitando e cresc, molto. Stringendo e crescendo sempre - Sempre più forte e concitato," builds in intensity and energy, leading to a powerful and dramatic climax. The final two movements, "Lento molto, misterioso. Alquanto movendo" and "Andante molto tranquillo e calmo, quasi adagio. Dolcissimo senza rallentare sino all fine," bring the work to a close with a sense of resolution and tranquility.
The album concludes with two suites from the opera "La Donna Serpente," Op. 50a and Op. 50b. These suites offer a glimpse into Casella's operatic compositions, with their rich and varied orchestration and dramatic themes. The first suite, "La Donna Serpente Suite No. 1," includes three movements: "Musica del sogno di re Altidòr. Andante," "Interludio. Andante moderato," and "Marcia Guerriera. Tempo di marcia." The second suite, "La Donna Serpente Suite," includes three movements as well: "Sinfonia. Allegro vivacissimo. Pocchissimo meno mosso," "Preludio. Lento, ma non troppo. Sempre più fortissimo," and "Battaglia e Finale. Allegro vivacissimo. Sempre fortissimo."
With a total duration of 1 hour and 13 minutes, this album offers a comprehensive exploration of Alfredo Casella's neoclassical compositions. Whether you're a fan of orchestral music or simply looking to discover new and exciting works, this album is sure to captivate and inspire.
