Rossini is magically able to make this listener smile with his brand of music making. Even the composer's most dramatic pieces are exciting and full of life, and their robustness is very much enjoyable.
The chamber piece for solo bass and fortepiano (listed here as an Erard) is amusingly joined by a chorus, elevating what could be a sing-songy parlor tune into a production.
The included overtures might not set with Rossini's most famous, but they all have his inherent tunefulness, perky musicality, and colorful orchestrations. The others are occasional pieces and lost bits and bobs from stage productions.
The true surprise comes at the very end, where pealing bells and cannons, reminiscent of Tchaikovsky, overblow this whole recording. I guess I am a sucker for this sort of program.
A review from 2024
This recording of Rossini Discoveries covers a grab bag of rarer overtures, choruses, and opera excerpts. As with all of Riccardo Chailly’s Discoveries series, the performances are full of life and vitality, and ends up being a whole lot of fun, even if an individual piece isn’t amongst the composer’s ‘greats’.
The two concluding hymns are perhaps my favorite, for their patriotic zeal and unashamed orchestrations, including pealing bells and cannons, are played as pure spectacle. The instrumental overtures contain typical Rossini-an pep and sunshine, and a few include their opening choruses as well.
The spirited playing from the Verdi Symphony Orchestra of Milan spews pure sunshine, the Milan chorus is properly rugged, and the vocal soloists which come and go are excellent.
Listen on YouTube
Soloists
Laura Giordano, soprano
Michele Pertusi, bass
Ildar Abdrazakov, bass
Performers
Nelson Calzi, fortepiano
Verdi Milan Symphony Chorus
Verdi Milan Symphony Orchestra
Riccardo Chailly, conductor
Label: Decca
Year: 2002
Total Timing: 70.23
I am going to give this recording my full praise, if nothing else than for the sheer joy it provides me.
It just goes to show, lesser works can entertain and fulfill just as well as the greatest of masterpieces.
Full props to these performers.
Find more Rossini recordings HERE!
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