Wolf-Ferrari: Orchestral Works / Noseda, Geoghegan, BBC PO (2009)

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Wolf-Ferrari: Orchestral Works / Noseda, Geoghegan, BBC PO (2009)

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This is a project very close to the heart of the BBC Philharmonic’s Principal Conductor, something reflected in the passionate performances he creates. BBC Music magazine commented early on that ‘Noseda’s affection for the music is evident throughout’. Even at the time of his appointment, he spoke of his ambition to record the works of the twentieth-century Italian composers, and he has since recorded works by Respighi and Dallapiccola. ‘Gianandrea Noseda understands the music’s lyrical strength and fragile sound-world perfectly; the playing of the BBC Philharmonic is exemplary, too’, wrote The Guardian on the Dallapiccola disc.

Known mainly for his operatic compositions, perhaps especially the overture to Il segreto di Susanna, Wolf-Ferrari was that rare phenomenon, famously exemplified by Busoni, of an Italian composer better known in Germany than in his homeland. The son of a German painter and his Italian wife, Wolf-Ferrari made his home in Munich and was throughout his life divided by the two cultures, something that provided a foundation of his creative existence, particularly in his attachment to the neo-classical style.

Noseda and the BBC Philharmonic present extracts from five operas, I quattro rusteghi, Il segreto di Susanna, I gioielli della Madonna, Il campiello and La dama boba. They are complemented by the Suite-Concertino for bassoon, two horns and strings. The soloist is Karen Geoghegan who recently made her debut on Chandos following her appearance on the television programme Classical Star.

With such distinguished and sympathetic advocacy, the music of Wolf-Ferrari should achieve the worldwide recognition that it deserves.

Composer: Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari
Performer: Karen Geoghegan
Conductor: Gianandrea Noseda
Orchestra/Ensemble: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

Reviews: Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari was an Italian composer whose music was most recognised in German Opera Houses. He had an Italian mother and a German father, so the influence of the two countries was present in his upbringing. He spent much of his life in Munich, and established himself musically there.

I gioielli della Madonna (Jewels of the Madonna) is s serious work in the verismo style, and is stylistically similar to other products of the time, such as those by Leoncavallo, Mascagni and Puccini. The Suite, heard here, has an exuberant opening, with rich orchestration and rustic character. The Intermezzo is a soaring minor-key melody, which is reminiscent of Cavalleria Rusticana and gives the strings a particular opportunity to demonstrate their expressive capabilities. The following Serenata is a charming waltz, with a jaunty flute theme performed here with flair over a rich counter-melody. This is a simple but highly effective movement, which demonstrates an excellent understanding of orchestration. The final movement of the suite is the thrilling Danza Napolitana, which returns to a rustic style and follows a sectional form.

Instinctively he favoured neo-classical treatment of earlier styles in a modern context, and he wrote a number of comic operas in this pattern. I quattro rusteghi (School for Fathers) is one such opera, and the playing here is poised and well paced.

The Suite-Concertino in F major for bassoon and orchestra captures the attention from the opening bars with the rich and sonorous tone of Karen Geoghegan’s bassoon playing. The breath control in the opening Notturno is particularly impressive, as is the evenness of tone. There are some beautifully shaped phrases and subtle changes of tone colour which help to bring the long lines to life. The Strimpellata is an energetic dance, which gives Geoghegan opportunity to demonstrate her technical skills and strikingly clear articulation. The Canzone gives a further opportunity to focus the attention on sound quality, while the Finale is perhaps more musically straightforward but is equally well-performed. This is impressive playing from one so young.

The remainder of the disc contains music from more of Wolf-Ferrari’s comic operas, Il segreto di Susanna, L’amore medico, Il Campiello and La dama boba. The music is full of operatic charm, performed with expression and drama by the BBC Philharmonic under Gianandrea Noseda. The waltz movements are particularly enjoyable, having a wonderful sense of poised charm. The richly romantic themes in the overture from La dama boba are also particularly sumptuous and enormously enjoyable. The sound quality of this recording is consistently excellent, as we have come to expect from Chandos.