Notes and Editorial Reviews
Utterly charming.
What a find this is: keyboard concertos to rival those of Mozart
in delight and charm.
Giovanni Paisiello was a prolific composer of operas - over eighty
of them - and his work rivalled that of Mozart. Born in Taranto,
Paisiello studied with Jesuits before moving to Naples for advanced
studies. He composed operas for venues all over Italy including
Parma, Modena, Bologna, Venice, Rome and Naples. He was recommended
to the Russian court at St Petersburg in the days of Catherine
II. In addition to his operatic works,
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he wrote music in other
genres including orchestral works. There are eight keyboard concertos.
Paisiello’s First Piano Concerto, the most substantial
of the three recorded here, was written for harpsichord between
1780 and 1783 during the composer’s years in St Petersburg.
It is dedicated to Her Excellency, Signora de Sinnavine, a
Lady-in-Waiting to the Russian Empress. This dainty, feminine,
concerto has great
charm. A light-fingered Nicolosi deftly realizes its gentle
playfulness, poignancy and delicacy especially in the delightful,
lyrical Larghetto. The
piano part is deftly balanced and sensitively supported by
Piovano’s
ensemble, the strings mildly yearning, and woodwinds singing
plaintively.
The Piano Concerto No. 3’s opening Allegro is
animated, sunny and good humoured. It is, at times, a little
reminiscent
of the cries of farmyard birds - pre-echoing Respighi’s The
Birds. The pace slows for the central Largo which
persists in A major thus minimising melancholy. There is a
graciously, demure melodic cadenza that is echoed in stately
fashion by the
strings. The Minuetto closes this little concerto with wit
and charm. Equally brief and no less appealing is the Fifth
Piano
Concerto. This is scored for keyboard, two horns and strings.
The first movement’s piano part sparkles; it’s
decorations exquisite and its runs and arpeggios sunny. Another
poignant
Largo forms the tiny central movement. Nicolosi endows the
whole with beguiling grace and refinement.
Paisiello’s Second and Fourth Concertos have been recorded
on Naxos 8.557031.
This CD maybe short measure in its 50 minutes running time, but
it is utterly charming.
-- Ian Lace, MusicWeb International
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Works on This Recording
1.
Concerto for Keyboard no 1 in C major by Giovanni Paisiello
Performer:
Francesco Nicolosi (Piano)
Conductor:
Luigi Piovano
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Campania Chamber Orchestra
Period: Classical
Written: circa 1781-1783; St. Petersburg, Russ
Length: 24 Minutes 1 Secs.
2.
Concerto for Keyboard no 3 in A major by Giovanni Paisiello
Performer:
Francesco Nicolosi (Piano)
Conductor:
Luigi Piovano
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Campania Chamber Orchestra
Period: Classical
Written: by 1788; Italy
Length: 12 Minutes 50 Secs.
3.
Concerto for Keyboard no 5 in D major by Giovanni Paisiello
Performer:
Francesco Nicolosi (Piano)
Conductor:
Luigi Piovano
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Campania Chamber Orchestra
Period: Classical
Written: by 1788; Italy
Length: 12 Minutes 13 Secs.
Sound Samples
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major: I. Allegro
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major: II. Larghetto
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major: III. Rondo: Allegro
Piano Concerto No. 3 in A major: I. Allegro
Piano Concerto No. 3 in A major: II. Largo
Piano Concerto No. 3 in A major: III. Minuetto: Allegretto
Piano Concerto No. 5 in D major: I. Allegro moderato
Piano Concerto No. 5 in D major: II. Largo
Piano Concerto No. 5 in D major: III. Allegro
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