About this Release
“What immediately attracted me to Albanesi’s music was his narrative talent, which is particularly evident in his large-scale sonatas.Lyricism and drama, humour and passion, longing and devotion, agitation and rapturous calm – all these elements blend in Albanesi’s work to form an instrumental novella. Although a virtuoso of distinction himself, he resists the temptation to use virtuosity as an end in itself; rather, he understands music always as a mirror of the soul, a kaleidoscope of moods and images, which he eloquently gives expression to.For a first hearing of this Italian voice of pianistic romanticism, I suggest the first movement of the B flat minor Sonata and the fourth movement of the D minor Sonata. In the former I am captivated by its passionate and yearning colouring, in the latter by the dynamic alternation between excitement and contemplation, restlessness and resolution...” — Julia Severus
ALBANESI, CARLO (1858–1926)
Piano Works • 1
- Julia Severus, piano
Born in Naples, Carlo Albanesi settled in London in 1882 where he successfully balanced a career as a piano soloist with that of professor of piano at the Royal Academy of Music. His playing was distinguished by delicacy and this is a notable feature of his compositions, of which the sonatas are eloquent examples of his art, large in scale and Classical in form. The Sonata in D minor marries serenity with grandiosity, while the Sonata in B flat minor is wide-ranging and romantic. Renowned for her ‘beautiful tone and deep emotion’ (American Record Guide), acclaimed pianist Julia Severus performs works by an unjustly forgotten composer-pianist who was held in the highest esteem by colleagues, students and audiences alike.
Tracklist
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Piano Sonata No. 2 (No. 3) in D Minor (1897) (00:33:00 )
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1
I. Allegro giusto (00:14:38)
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2
II. Scherzo: Presto ma con ritmo (00:04:37)
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3
III. Andante cantabile (00:05:44)
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4
IV. Finale: Molto allegro e agitato (00:05:56)
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5
Souhait, Romance () (00:03:20)
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Piano Sonata No. 4 in B-Flat Minor () (00:28:00 )
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6
I. Allegro maestoso (00:14:58)
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7
II. Andante (00:07:19)
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8
III. Finale: Allegro risoluto ed energico (00:05:50)
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The Artist(s)
Julia Severus began playing the piano at the age of four. She graduated from the Berlin University of Arts and from the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, where she studied piano with Mikhail Voskresensky and Lev Naumov. Wishing to explore piano ensemble repertoire, she founded the Aurora Duo and Quartet, performing numerous premieres and world premieres, among them Rodion Shchedrin’s Hommage à Chopin in the presence of the composer, followed by a recording for two pianos, eight hands, of Russian Romantic Piano Transcriptions (Naxos 8.557717). Her solo recordings, including Tchaikovsky’s opera and song transcriptions (GP795), have been highly praised. Julia Severus lives and works in Paris and Berlin. The Composer(s)
Born in Naples, Carlo Albanesi settled in London in 1882 where he successfully balanced a career as a piano soloist with that of professor of piano at the Royal Academy of Music. His playing was distinguished by delicacy and this is a notable feature of his compositions, of which the sonatas are eloquent examples of his art, large in scale and Classical in form. The Sonata in D minor marries serenity with grandiosity, while the Sonata in B flat minor is wide-ranging and romantic. Renowned for her ‘beautiful tone and deep emotion’ (American Record Guide), acclaimed pianist Julia Severus performs works by an unjustly forgotten composer-pianist who was held in the highest esteem by colleagues, students and audiences alike. Reviews
“Severus’s playing deserves nothing but praise. She plays with a precise touch and cleanly articulated rhythm and phrasing.” – American Record Guide
Also Available
Grand Piano has gained a reputation for producing high quality recordings of rare keyboard gems. Dedicated to the exploration of undiscovered piano repertoire, the label specialises in complete cycles of piano works by many lesser-known composers, whose output might otherwise have remained unknown and unrecorded.
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