Gian Francesco Malipiero; Alfredo Casella - Violin Concertos (André Gertler)

Information

Composer: Gian Francesco Malipiero; Alfredo Casella

• Malipiero - Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
• Casella - Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in A minor

André Gertler, violin

Prague Symphony Orchestra

Václav Smetáček, conductor

Date: 1972, 1976 / 2007

Label: Supraphon

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Review

Both Gian Francesco Malipiero and Alfredo Casella who struggled to modernize the classical music scene in Italy, no easy task considering the widespread dominance of Italian opera and the Italian Baroque. In some fashion, both of these composers were successful, though not to the degree of Respighi, in creating a lasting name for themselves by incorporating some of the very stylistic components they sought to modernize -- namely, lyricism and formalism. The violin concertos of these two composers are perfect examples of their attempts. Both have strong melodic, lyrical lines for the solo violin and are written in a formally traditional three-movement form. The orchestra plays a much more subservient role than in music of any of their predecessors, with the violin almost always taking center stage. This remastering of performances made in the early 1970s features clear, well-balanced sound from orchestra and soloist alike. Violinist André Gertler, while possessing the abundant technique necessary to pull off these demanding compositions, does not always have the most appealing sound. It is sometimes on the shrill side. Intonation is generally good, but there are some jarring moments where even small shifts don't quite make it. Still, this album is certainly worthwhile for any listener looking to broaden his/her repertoire of violin concertos.

— Mike D. Brownell

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Gian Francesco Malipiero (18 March 1882 – 1 August 1973) was an Italian composer and music scholar. Educated in Vienna, Venice and Bologna, he was later influenced by modernist trends in Paris. A key figure in 20th-century Italian music alongside Alfredo Casella, Malipiero rejected verismo and revived interest in pre-Romantic Italian music. His major works include operas, symphonies, chamber music and cantatas. As a scholar, he edited the complete works of Monteverdi and contributed to editions of Vivaldi, Corelli and Frescobaldi, significantly shaping the modern understanding of early Italian music.

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Alfredo Casella (25 July 1883 – 5 March 1947) was an Italian composer, pianist and conductor. He studied in Paris under Louis Diémer and Gabriel Fauré before returning to Italy in 1914 to teach at the Conservatorio Santa Cecilia in Rome. From 1927 to 1929, he served as principal conductor of the Boston Pops. Casella played a key role in reviving interest in Antonio Vivaldi's music, notably through organizing the 1939 Vivaldi Week. A major figure in the Neoclassical revival, his own compositions were deeply influenced by earlier Italian music. His notable works include La Giara, Paganiniana, and concertos for various instruments.

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André Gertler (26 July 1907 – 23 July 1998) was a Hungarian violinist and teacher. He studied at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest under notable musicians like Jenő Hubay, Leó Weiner and Zoltán Kodály. In 1928, he moved to Brussels, refining his technique with Eugène Ysaÿe and later teaching at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. Gertler founded the Gertler Quartett in 1931, touring internationally for two decades. Renowned for his interpretation of Béla Bartók's works, Gertler recorded the complete violin works of the composer for Supraphon. He often performed with his wife, Danish pianist Diane Andersen.

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