"Solo work is polished and distinctive, and the ensemble is well blended and disciplined. Conductor Francesco La Vecchia seems to know what he wants to get out of these scores…If you have enjoyed earlier releases in this series, there is no reason to hesitate. If you haven’t heard Casella yet, then what are you waiting for? This disc is as good a place as any to begin." --Fanfare, May 2013
"Playing, interpretation, and sound are all good. This pioneering Naxos survey of the Italian symphonic tradition has opened my ears to a worthwhile composer." --American Record Guide, January 2013
"Playing, interpretation, and sound are all good. This pioneering Naxos survey of the Italian symphonic tradition has opened my ears to a worthwhile composer." --American Record Guide, January 2013
"These performances are extremely fine. Chandos just released the Concerto in its own Casella series…but I prefer Francesco La Vecchia’s more relaxed way with the music. If his orchestra isn’t perhaps as polished as the BBC Philharmonic, his approach gives the piece just that much more breathing room to make an impression. He allows its Italianate lyricism to blossom naturally, while the neoclassical chatter of its rhythms never turns mechanical. The engineering also ranks with the best in this generally excellent ongoing series. Both the Suite and Pagine di guerra are recording premieres. This disc is a treat, and a major release." ---ClassicsToday.com, October 2012
"…here is a tribute to La Vecchia’s judicious balancing of raw pictorialism and real feeling.
The Concerto for Orchestra, dedicated to the Dutch conductor Willem Mengelberg, is the most substantial work here. It’s also a summation of Casella’s progress to date; in the highly animated Sinfonia various parts of the orchestra are allowed to shine, those see-sawing string figures reminiscent of Shostakovich at times. That said, there’s a boldness—an ease of invention if you like—to Casella’s writing that confirms he’s mastered his craft; the Passacaglia, artfully worked, is not as dry as one might expect, and the finale takes us on a thrilling ride…La Vecchia and his band are every bit as engaged—and engaging—in this strange, delightfully dishevelled work.
Music of unbridled energy, a big, sense-sating sound and unusually detailed liner-notes add up to a most desirable package. In short, Naxos have given us another cracker—and it’s not even Christmas!
Great fun; buy now and beat the rush." --MusicWeb International, October 2012
"…here is a tribute to La Vecchia’s judicious balancing of raw pictorialism and real feeling.
The Concerto for Orchestra, dedicated to the Dutch conductor Willem Mengelberg, is the most substantial work here. It’s also a summation of Casella’s progress to date; in the highly animated Sinfonia various parts of the orchestra are allowed to shine, those see-sawing string figures reminiscent of Shostakovich at times. That said, there’s a boldness—an ease of invention if you like—to Casella’s writing that confirms he’s mastered his craft; the Passacaglia, artfully worked, is not as dry as one might expect, and the finale takes us on a thrilling ride…La Vecchia and his band are every bit as engaged—and engaging—in this strange, delightfully dishevelled work.
Music of unbridled energy, a big, sense-sating sound and unusually detailed liner-notes add up to a most desirable package. In short, Naxos have given us another cracker—and it’s not even Christmas!
Great fun; buy now and beat the rush." --MusicWeb International, October 2012
