Con Grazia- A Century Of Italian Piano Music
Neuma, 2025
9/10
Listen to Con Grazia- A Century Of Italian Piano Music
The exceptional pianist Shannon Wettstein explores modern and contemporary Italian piano works, where the 9 selections span 1930-2018.
Giacinto Scelsi’s “Con Grazia From Suite No. 5” opens with the unpredictable keys emitting intrigue and charm, and “Anamorfosi”, by Salvatore Sciarrino, follows with the bright piano radiating warmth and mystery.
Further along, Luigi Dallapiccola’s “Quaderno Musicale di Annalibera” flows across 7 chapters via bare moments, lower registers and animated bouts, while Franco Donatoni’s “Rima” offers an animated and playful spirit.
Residing close to the end, “Antipodes”, by Ivan Fedele, is a bit haunting in its minimal presence, and Silvia Bianchera’s “D’eco” exits with expressive and dense qualities that are both creative and memorable.
A highly complicated but easily accessible body of work, Wettstein’s vision illustrates old and new ideas colliding with a modern, classical appeal that’s quite striking.
Travels well with: Professor Girlfriend- My Mother In Love: The Summer Sessions; Jeannine Wagar- Into The Night