Sgambati Symphonies 1 & 2

[Alan Howe]

...on one CD, under Swedish conductor Ola Rudner, forthcoming from cpo:
https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/cpo/detail/-/art/giovanni-sgambati-symphonien-nr-1-2/hnum/7971899

[jdperdrix]

I suppose this is the same version that was uploaded by Hadrianus.
I, personally find his interpretation of the second symphony too massive. I tend to prefer the lighter (and more Italian?) version by Attardi available from magazine Amadeus.

[rosflute]

Interesting, jdperdrix that you prefer what you call the ' Italian' quality. Attardi's version very closely resembled both La Vecchia's interpretation [in February 2014] and my own original 'recording' created by my computer in 2006 and issued as a virtual CD.
Sgambati was a great fan of Wagner's music, as well as other German composers including Schumann, Beethoven and Brahms [as well as Liszt, of course] and is strongly influenced by them. So what is required by Sgambati's music is a perfect blend of German Late Romanticism [what I suspect you call 'massive'] together with the lyricism of Italian melody, and so, in this respect, Rudner comes much closer to finding the correct balance [I would quibble over his interpretation of the semi staccato in the introduction of the first movement, but his audacious speeds for the faster movements would, I think,  be appreciated by Sgambati, the virtuoso pianist!]. Perhaps you will enjoy Rudner's interpretation better on another meeting.
Incidentally, I have written the sleeve notes for the CD.

[Alan Howe]

I prefer Rudner myself. And I'm glad to see that the sleevenotes are in expert hands!

[adriano]

Great that this will be released! I also prefer Rudner!

[rosflute]

Thank you Alan! Rather a lot of sleeve notes - I managed to 'reduce' to about 5000 words, so I'm not sure if they'll print all !

[Alan Howe]

Nevertheless, you're the right person for the job!

[Gareth Vaughan]

Does the Epitalamio sinfonico count as a "3rd" symphony or is it more of an extended symphonic poem?

[Alan Howe]

I've always thought of it as Sgambati's 3rd, but perhaps Roz can enlighten us?

[Alan Howe]

This article (in Italian)...
http://www.flaminioonline.it/Guide/Sgambati/Sgambati-EpitalamioSG47.html
...says: 'L'ultima composizione sinfonica di Sgambati è la sinfonia Epitalamio', in other words it calls the work a symphony, but not No.3. Maybe the situation is akin to Tchaikovsky in respect of Manfred which isn't numbered either (it would be his 5th, coming after No.4)?

[adriano]

Thanks Alan, for quoting this article. I am glad to read that the composer did not write this piece for an occasion, but out of a purely artistic need :-). Apparently it is also a non-descriptive/programmatic piece (in spite of having his movements entitled), so let's be curious about it and wait for a recording! So, since the composer wanted to try something new and nearer to a symphonic suite, he was perfectly right not to call it his "3rd Symphony".

[alberto]

Again about the article on "Epitalamio Sinfonico" by Francesco Attardi (on www.flaminioonline.it)
the Author points out that the work was not composed straight for a Royal Court occasion, BUT a last  movement or piece named "Corteo" was added in the perspective of the first performance which took place at a Italian Royal Family wedding.
The Epitalamio is cast in three parts (In church, In garden, At court (all with sub-movements) and Maestro Attardi describes it as a symphonic suite.

[Gareth Vaughan]

I for one would love to hear it.

[Mark Thomas]

Oh yes, me too. The article doesn't give an idea of the work's length. Anyone have an idea?

[adriano]

That's more or less what I have just written, Alberto... :-)