Legendary Italian Violinists
Wanda Luzzato · Aldo Ferraresi · Renato de Barbieri
rec. 1939-1973
Meloclassic MC 2060 [2 CDs: 138]

This 2 CD set from Meloclassic focuses its attention on three Italian violinists who made their careers in the twentieth century. The label has already issued a release of Wanda Luzzato’s   (1919-2002) recordings back in 2017, dedicated to live recordings of sonatas for violin and piano (review). Around the same time Rhine Classics released an 8 CD box of her unissued live recordings, which I had the pleasure of reviewing, and nominated a Recording of the Month. I’ve had one previous encounter with Aldo Ferraresi (1902-1978) when I reviewed a mammoth 18 CD set put out by Rhine classics in 2017. The third violinist Renato de Barbieri (1920-1991) I regret to say I’ve never come across before.

By 2016, when Meloclassic issued their volume of Wanda Luzzato recordings, the violinist’s name had faded into obscurity. One reason for this is that she never made any commercial recordings. What we have in this latest volume are her interpretations of previously unreleased Swiss radio broadcasts of three major violin concertos. Apparently there are no alternative recordings of these works by the violinist, which adds to the allure. The violinist had given the Italian premiere of the Khachaturian Violin Concerto in 1948. This live performance dates from four years later, 1 October 1952, with Otmar Nussio directing the Orchestra della Radio Svizzera Italiana. An optimistic score, the outer movements are shot through with exotic Armenian flavours and the performance is not short of energy and drive. Luzzato contours the beautiful slow movement eloquently, and with a warm and ravishing tone. Partnered by the same forces, but from a much later broadcast dated 3 February 1968, we have a performance of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4.  It is a rhythmically buoyant performance in exceptionally good sound, and the balance between soloist and orchestra is ideal. Luzzato is particularly expressive in the glowing cantabile of the slow movement. Later still, from 1973, comes a performance of the Glazunov Concerto. Luzzato’s big, opulent sound is well-suited to this work. She also displays a spectacular wealth of colour and tonal shadings, and you won’t feel short-changed when it comes to sensuality and poetic sentiment. Richard Müller-Lampertz and his Basel players provide sensitive support.

Aldo Ferraresi is represented by three early radio recordings made for the German Reichsender Saarbrücken in June 1939. The pianist is Leo Lieber, and this is their first ever release.  Hubay’s Zephyr is spectacularly fine, with Ferraresi displaying a stunning command of spiccato and richochet bowing. The harmonics have a radiant luminosity. The whole reading is playful and mercurial. The Fibich Poème really tugs at the heart strings, with the intonation of the double stops immaculate. Dünschede’s Valse Capriccio is a new one on me. It has a Viennese lilt, and Ferraresi delivers it suavely, with elegance and charm.

By all accounts, Renato de Barbieri had a particular affinity for the music of Paganini and frequently programmed his works. There are three of the composer’s works here. The violinist performed the Concerto many times throughout his career. The Frankfurt performance here dates from 25 February 1954, with Rudolf Kempe at the helm of the Sinfonieorchester des Hessischen Rundfunks. Regrettably only the first movement was recorded. The performance is extrovert and characterful, combining breathtaking virtuosity, sweet bel canto and intelligent musicality. The cadenza by Émile Sauret is singularly spectacular. Nel cor più non mi sento for solo violin showcases some fine left hand pizzicato and tremolo. The Paganini and Mozart Sonatas are both accompanied by Hans Priegnitz, and are taken from a radio studio recording of 19 January 1953. The Mozart K454 is a lovely reading. Radiant and sunny, it’s delivered with elegance and charm. One cannot fail to be enamoured by the sheer warmth and commitment of the duo’s artistry. There’s a seductive eloquence and rapt intensity to the central Andante.

The contents of this twofer are seeing the light of day on CD for the first time, and very welcome they are too. Lynn Ludwig’s particularly fine restorations ensure that these valuable aural documents are heard in the best possible light. The liner notes are exemplary.

Stephen Greenbank

Contents
CD 1
KHACHATURIAN: Violin Concerto in D minor
Wanda Luzzato · violin
Orchestra della Radio Svizzera Italiana
Otmar Nussio · conductor
Recorded · 1 October 1952 · Lugano · Campo Marzio · RSI · Radio Studio Recording

MOZART: Violin Concerto No 4 in D Major, KV 218
Wanda Luzzato · violin
Orchestra della Radio Svizzera Italiana
Otmar Nussio · conductor
Recorded · 3 February 1968 · Lugano-Besso · Studio Auditorio · RSI · Radio Studio Recording

HUBAY: Der Zephir, Op 30, No 5
FIBICH: Poème, Op 41, No 6
DÜNSCHEDE: Valse Capriccio, Op 15
Aldo Ferraresi · violin
Leo Lieber · piano
Recorded · 29 June 1939 · Saarbrücken · Funkhaus · Reichssender Saarbrücken · Radio Studio Recording

CD 2
GLAZUNOV: Violin Concerto in A minor, Op 82
Wanda Luzzato · violin
Radio-Sinfonieorchester Basel
Richard Müller-Lampertz · conductor
Recorded · 14 February 1973 · Riehen · Landgasthof · DRS · Radio Studio Recording

PAGANINI: Violin Concerto No 1 in D Major, Op 6
Renato de Barbieri · violin
Sinfonieorchester des Hessischen Rundfunks
Rudolf Kempe · conductor
Recorded · 25 February 1954 · Frankfurt · Altes Funkhaus · HR · Radio Studio Recording

PAGANINI: Nel cor più non mi sento (arr. R. de Barbieri)
PAGANINI: Violin Sonata in E minor, Op 3, No 6
MOZART: Violin Sonata in B-flat Major, KV 454
Renato de Barbieri · violin
Hans Priegnitz · piano
Recorded · 19 January 1953 · Stuttgart-Untertürkheim · Krone · SDR · Radio Studio Recording