I heard this music first on Classic FM played by the inimitable Simon bates and when I received a review copy in the post I just couldn't wait to put it into my CD player. There I sat, transfixed for the best part of two hours listening to the magic melodies created by this great Italian composer.
Really words cannot describe the gamut of emotions one goes through when listening to pieces such as the haunting "Le Onde", "Andare" or "Primavera" but really it would be very unfair to single out one particular piece or another as each one is brimful with that sentiment and rarefied beauty which is almost at one with nature. Both CDs are simply haunting and if I had to pick my favourite piece it would probably be "Come un fiore" which reminded me so much of the promise of unfulfilled youth.
As expected, Jeremy Limb gives selfless interpretations of each piece letting the music speak out for itself and avoiding any trenchant virtuosity. I cannot recommend this double CD too highly and for me, this is definitely the record of the year.
Copyright © 2008, Gerald Fenech