Aladino Di Martino: Fiaba, Chamber Works For Strings And Piano – Francesco Peverini

Aladino Di Martino (1908-1989) was a composer originating from Molise, the smallest region in Italy, but who belonged in the glorious Neapolitan school of composition which flourished in the twentieth century. His works have unjustly been neglected, but are definitely worth rediscovering, with their unique blend of international influences (from the French school to the Eastern ones of Bartok or Stravinsky) and of the composer’s own personality. Fiaba (“Fairy tale”, 1948) is a touching Adagio for cello and piano; it is a miniature piece which describes a whole palette of emotions within the space of a mere 71 bars. The Sonata (Quasi una fantasia) for cello and piano, in three movements, reveals Di Martino’s capability to digest experiences ranging from Brahms’ late Romanticism to contemporary Neoclassicism. The Introduzione e burlesca for violin and piano was evidently a favourite of its composer who employed it also in other pieces. The G-major Trio for piano and strings is recorded here for the first time in the original three-movement version, including an opening Allegro which was hitherto unknown.