Wolf-Ferrari: Concertante Works, Chamber Music, Piano Music (Italian Romantics Series) – Costantino Catena

A new issue in the Brilliant Classics series “The Italian Romantics”, paying tribute to the rich heritage of instrumental (as opposed to vocal, operatic) music by Italian composers in the Romantic/Late-Romantic era. Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari (1876-1948) is a composer difficult to classify. A child of his time he kept aloof from the innovations of the modernists and dodecaphony. As son of a German father and a noble-born Venetian mother he was born in Venice and went to study in Munich. He became famous as an opera composer. His style is romantic, tinged with impressionism and the odd neoclassical hint. His aim was to create a “universal beauty” in his works, where no rules apply, but only a feeling of well-being and sensuousness. This comprehensive 8-CD set features concertante works: violin concerto, oboe concertino, serenade for strings, concertino for English horn and concertino for bassoon, horns and strings. The complete chamber music presents the violin sonatas, cello sonata, piano trios, piano quintet, string trios, quartets and quintet. The last CD presents works for piano solo. Excellent performances by Italian musicians, expressing their deep love for the music of their compatriot.