ROSSINI: Complete Works for Piano, Vol. 8 – Paolo Giacometti, Piano – Channel Classics

by | Sep 26, 2007 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews | 0 comments

ROSSINI: Complete Works for Piano, Vol. 8 – Paolo Giacometti, Piano – Channel Classics Multichannel SACD – CCSSA 24907, 60 mins. *****:

This disc is the eighth and final volume of a survey of the complete works for piano of Rossini. At first glance the titles of these “trifles” from Rossini would give the serious music lover difficulty in attempting to gain an appreciation of them – after all, who would take the contents of “Four Appetizers” seriously, especially when they’re titled “Radishes,” “Anchovies,” “Pickles” and “Butter?” We’re really reaching here, right? In the interest of completeness, it would be imprudent to omit any of these works, but then we’re offered “Chromatic Merry-Go-Round,” ” A Little More Silliness” and then, served up for dessert, we get “Almonds,” “Raisins” and “Hazelnuts.” Totally nuts – right? In anyone’s hands other than the mature and masterful Gioacchino Rossini, I’d probably agree. Rossini refused publication of these works, and in fact, they only saw the light of day after his death, despite the fact that they were immensely popular with his party guest at the regular soirées he held at his home, right up to his death in 1868.

Despite the rather trivial nature of their titles, these pieces are immensely entertaining, and are definitely the work of a masterful composer at the peak of his powers. Paolo Giacometti and Channel Classics have done the world a great service by reacquainting us with these delightful and sometimes powerful pieces. The playing is superb, and by the way, the sound of the 1858 Pleyel piano is magnificent! Not to be missed – this set transcends the rather trivial-sounding nomenclature, and definitely urges one to further explore the riches of Rossini in the remaining seven volumes of the series. Very highly recommended!

– Tom Gibbs
 

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