As the recording date implies, this CD is a re-issue, originally
released by Italian label Rivoalto in 1990. Newton has simply
provided a fresh cover and notes, although the original is nowadays
very hard to come by and this music does deserve to be heard
by a new generation.
Filippo Gragnani was one of a cluster of Italian guitarist-composers
who appeared in the generation following Luigi Boccherini at
the turn of the 19th century. This included Mauro Giuliani,
Francesco Molino, Luigi Legnani and Nicolò Paganini.
One of the most important figures was Ferdinando Carulli, who
became a good friend to the slightly older Gragnani - not younger,
as the notes state - inspiring him to write guitar music. The
two met up again in 1810 when Gragnani went to Paris, where
he settled for a while and consolidated his reputation as a
composer.
Like Paganini, Gragnani was also a violinist, and in these three
Sonatas he is likely to bring the former to mind. Paganini wrote
around eighty for this combination. That said his major influence
was Carulli. Gragnani's Sonatas each have three movements, a
lively allegro followed by a lyrical, theme-and-variations andante
of a wistful nature, and rounded off with a rondo polacca. The
writing is in a fairly conservative Italian style: idiomatic
but entertaining, virtuosic at times yet never inelegant for
it, but above all bubbling with foot-tapping energy and attractive
melody. Confusingly, but as was commonplace in the 19th century,
Gragnani has another op.8, a quartet for the unusual combination
of clarinet, violin and two guitars - available, as it happens,
on MDG Gold (MDG 3011415).
As is usual, Newton inexplicably fails to provide any biographical
information about the performers. Be that as it may, Italian
soloists Franco Mezzena and Massimo Scattolin are still going
strong, as their websites here
and here testify. These
were recordings from early on in their careers, but very sound
of technique and expression. Their approach is as unpretentious
and good-natured as Gragnani's music.
One major consideration for the would-be purchaser of this disc
must be the timing. Two decades ago it was normal if not satisfactory
for CDs to last 45 minutes or less. Today it may seem more niggardly.
A more recent release by Alba (ABCD 149), featuring Finnish
soloists Ilkka Virta and Erkki Palola, yielded 52 minutes with
the same three works. Following Rivoalto's original lead Italian
label Fonè gave buyers the three Sonatas op.8 and
three Duets for two guitars for their money (93F18CD) - influenced,
it may be supposed, by the fact that Marco Annunziati and Marco
Fornaciari's high-speed account of the Sonatas was over thirty-six
minutes later!
Sound quality is good overall, although both instruments are
set well back from the microphones; further back than Mezzena
himself appears to be even, to judge by the proximity of his
smooth but frequent inhalations! The booklet notes in English,
German and French give a decent biography of Gragnani.
Byzantion
Collected reviews and contact at reviews.gramma.co.uk
Franco Mezzena (violin) 