STEFANO SEVERINI - OPERE PER PIANOFORTE

Alfonso Rendano life is like a tale. Born in 1853 in Carolei, in the Cosenza provence of Italy, the little Alfonso immediatelyappeared as an enfant prodige so that his parents decided to send him to study music at the NaplesConservatorium. But Rendano remained there only 6 months and at the age of 13 went to study privately with SigismundThalberg, one of the most acclaimed virtuosos of those days. Struck by the talent of his pupil, Thalberg sent him to Pariswith a letter of recommendation for Rossini that eventually opened the doors to his brilliant solo career that allowed himto play on the side of greats such as Franz Liszt and Joseph Joachim.The listening to this new Tactus' CD delivers the image of a talented composer of complex, yet technically veryinnovative music. The Barcarola, taken from the Corsaro by Byron, is divided in two wide sections dealt with greatfreedom almost reminding a symphony, in the Danze slave you can easly find some Chopinian reminiscence, whilstthe Valse triste, the two nocturnes and the Mazurka, clearly show the classic end of the century sentimentalism, yet neverfalling in usless expressions. The great Rendano eclecticism then finds its full expression in the ironic (almost grotesque)Serenata Bizzarra and in the free virtuosity of the Gavotta dei folletti where it clearly emerges the image of a composersuspended between Chopin and Liszt.This very important discovery of the Italian instrumental repertoire is taken to us by the excellent reading of a particularlyinspired Stefano Severini.