Shugaev/Prokofiev/Raso - Gian Francesco Malipiero: Cello Concerto, Giorgio Federico Ghedini: L'Olmeneta

The composers of these 20th-century Italian works were all associated with the cello from a young age. Their deep understanding of the instrument reveals itself in three contrasting concertante pieces where soloist and orchestra collaborate to explore a wide range of colours and moods, and whose slow movements are among the most beautiful each composer ever wrote. Malipiero viewed the soloist in his concertos as a voice rising in a crowd; the mysterious and autumnal L�Olmeneta is the largest and most individual of Ghedini�s cello works; and Casella�s Notturno e tarantella is a sunny piece, expertly orchestrated.