Customer Reviews

Flagello Conducts Flagello

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I have to take away a star right off the bat to reflect the less-than-perfect instrumental playing, particularly by the Rome Chamber Orchestra in the Serenata and the Second Symphony. These folks would easily be shamed by some of today's talented college musicians, let alone experienced members of major orchestras. The notes are there, to be sure; what's lacking is nuance, subtleties that make music something more.

Darn near everything else is good news, though. Flagello's music is its usual great (though I find the song cycle "The Land" a bit too stubbornly and wantonly conservative), with Serenata leading the pack. The Symphonic Waltzes (for piano solo) is perfectly and lovingly executed by an extraordinary pianist, Tatjana Rankovich. And Ezio Flagello, the composer's famous brother, sings the Tennyson settings to their fullest potential.

While these pieces await their next recording (it is hoped with a superior orchestra), those curious about Flagello's work are directed to the two (as of this writing) recent Naxos discs, the disc of the Credendum for Violin and Orchestra and Piano Concertos 2 & 3, and the surprisingly immensely satisfying children's opera, "The Pied Piper of Hamlin." Also, Ms. Rankovich has recorded three piano sonatas by Italian-American composers, of which Flagello's is the best of the three (all fine ones indeed).

Flagello is, to me, one of the more interesting 20th century classical composers. And Tatjana Rankovich (the gorgeous and intense Yugoslavian) is a brilliant interpreter of his work. She is one of the outstanding pianists of our age. Not everyone likes this music, but if you do, or are curious, this is an excellent selection.