Concerts and Follies in Pergolesi’s Time – I Musici – XRCD24

In 1952, twelve young and promising Italian musicians, mainly roman and mostly graduates of the at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome, got together “inter pares” to create a unique chamber orchestra comprising six violins, two violas, two cellos, one double bass and one harpsichord.

They chose the simple, yet nice, name I MUSICI and they deliberately decided to shape the ensemble without conductor. They did so in order to create an egalitarian relationship among the twelve colleagues and friends, which would bring to their music-making a unanimity on technical and interpretative questions. It was a very unconventional but unexpectedly suitable procedure. Notably, maestro Arturo Toscanini, on hearing them rehearsing in April 1952 at the Italian Radio studios, enthused over the young orchestra in front of journalists and musical personalities, and dedicated his photograph to the group with the words “bravi, bravissimi …no! la musica non muore”, (bravo, the music will not die).

During the course of the years, the musicians have changed, the original members of the group retired but, together with the younger talent that has taken their place, there has always been a generation of “historic” members present who guarantee the tradition and continuity of the orchestra.

Features:

Directly recorded to half inch analog tape

Musicians:

I Musici:
Antonio Anselmi, violin
Marco Serino, violin
Vito Paternoster, cello
Pietro Bosna, cello

Track Listing

Francesco Geminiani (1687-1762)
1. Concerto grosso no. 12 “La follia” per archi e cembalo

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-1736)
Concerto per violino, archi e basso continuo in Si bem. magg
2. Allegro
3. Largo
4. Allegro

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Concerto in sol min. per du violoncelli, archi e continuo RV 531>/b>
5. Allegro
6. Largo
7. Allegro

Concerto in Re Magg. per violino, archi e continuo “Grosso Mogul” RV 208
8. Allegro
9. Grave, recitativo
10. Allegro

Francesco Durante (1684-1755)
Concerto per archi no. 8 in La Magg “La pazzia”
11. Allegro
12. Affettuoso
13. Allegro

Recorded August 12-14, 2009 at Caprarola (VT) Casa di Spiritualita S. Teresa – Padri Carmelitani Scalzi.