Respighi - Chamber Works - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Xiaogang Ye is regarded as one of today's leading Chinese composers, having won prestigious awards for his concert music and for numerous highly successful film scores. The works on this recording share a deep affection for the beauty and power of nature and landscape in China. Mount E'mei eulogises the great spectacle and cultural significance of the mountain, creating a multi-dimensional picture through the use of traditional instruments. Lamura Cuo and The Silence of Mount Minshan describe mystic atmosphere and melancholy silence, while Scent of Green Mango uses vibrant colors and shading to express gratitude for the fruit's refreshing fragrance. Album Tracks 1. Mount E'mei, for Violin, Percussion and Orchestra, Op. 74 (2015-16) 2. Scent of Green Mango for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 42 (1998-2014) 3. Lamura Cuo for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 69B (2014) 4. The Silence of Mount Minshan for Strings, Op. 73 (2015)

Album Tracks 1. Deità Silvane, Song Cycle for Soprano & Piano, P. 107 1. I Fauni 2. Deità Silvane, Song Cycle for Soprano & Piano, P. 107 2. Misuca in Horto 3. Deità Silvane, Song Cycle for Soprano & Piano, P. 107 3. Egle 4. Deità Silvane, Song Cycle for Soprano & Piano, P. 107 4. Acqua 5. Deità Silvane, Song Cycle for Soprano & Piano, P. 107 5. Crepuscolo 6. Stornellatrice, Song for Soprano & Piano, P. 69 (From Opera 're Enzo') 7. Rispetti Toscani, Songs (4) for Soprano & Piano, P. 103 1. Quando Nasceste Voi 8. Rispetti Toscani, Songs (4) for Soprano & Piano, P. 103 2. Venitelo a Vedere I Mi Piccino 9. Rispetti Toscani, Songs (4) for Soprano & Piano, P. 103 3. Viene Di LÀ, Lontan Lontano 10. Rispetti Toscani, Songs (4) for Soprano & Piano, P. 103 4. Razzolan, Sopra L'aja, Le Galline 11. Tanto Bella!, Song (Romanza) for Voice & Piano, P. 12 12. Evviva Rosabella, for Voice & Piano 13. Arrangement 'Antiche Cantate D'amore', P. 98 1. Al Tramontar Del Giorno 14. Arrangement 'Antiche Cantate D'amore', P. 98 2. Quanta Invidia Mi Fai, Bel Gelsomino 15. Arrangement 'Antiche Cantate D'amore', P. 98 3. Cantata 16. Arrangement 'Antiche Cantate D'amore', P. 98 4. Son Come Farfalletta 17. L' Ultima Ebbrezza!, Song (Romanza) for Soprano & Piano, P. 8 18. Canti All'antica, Songs (5) for Mezzo-Soprano & Piano, P. 71 1. L'udir Talvolta 19. Canti All'antica, Songs (5) for Mezzo-Soprano & Piano, P. 71 2. Ma Come Potrei 20. Canti All'antica, Songs (5) for Mezzo-Soprano & Piano, P. 71 3. Ballata 21. Canti All'antica, Songs (5) for Mezzo-Soprano & Piano, P. 71 4. Bella Porta Di Rubini 22. Canti All'antica, Songs (5) for Mezzo-Soprano & Piano, P. 71 5. Canzone Di Re Enzo 23. Scherzo, Song for Soprano & Piano, P. 68

Artists who fitted completely into their place and time, their schools and background of peers, are fairly plain sailing. The starting point is one and the same, like a word that begins in basic form before being overlaid with individual aesthetic, professional and productive connotations. It may not be that easy, but it certainly remains so. None of this applies to Luciano Simoni (1932-2010 who lived and thought in lofty style at Bologna, Italy, across the second half of the twentieth and into the twenty-first century without kowtowing to principles or any contemporary rules of art or life - which may be well and good, but are not to be taken on board a-critically. Unlike many a colleague, Simoni approached classical music from every possible angle. Which of them, for example, threw themselves enthusiastically into sacred music? Simoni did, and among other things produced a full-scale Missa solemnis for chorus, orchestra and soloists. His fondness for chamber music was, of course, less unusual he left some memorable scores such as those collected on the present album whose program includes three of the nine quartets and one trio for strings and piano.