The most influential Italian composer between the two
World Wars, Alfredo Casella, (1883-1947) was also known as an organizer of new
music societies and as a conductor. He studied at the Paris Conservatory, making
friends with Georges Enescu and Maurice Ravel.
During his 19 years in Paris, Casella absorbed influences from the music of
Debussy, the Russian Nationalists and Stravinsky, among other flourishing
composers of the time. He returned to his
native Italy from 1915-1922 and again from 1932-1947, when he organized
the Venice Festival of Contemporary Music.
His Sicilienne et Burlesque for flute and
piano was the 1914 contest piece requirement for the flute exit exams at the
Paris Conservatory. The work, set in the
traditional two-movement format of slow-fast, echoes early Italian music and
French Impressionism, with touches of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring
(notice the opening piano phrase). The
accessible, neo-classical style and jovial virtuosity probably contributed to
his later re-arrangement of this work for violin and cello. Catherine Ramirez
Classical Music | Music for Flute
Alfredo Casella
Sicilienne et Burlesque Play
Recorded on 06/26/2007, uploaded on 01/23/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Sicilienne et Burlesque Alfredo Casella
The most influential Italian composer between the two World Wars, Alfredo Casella, (1883-1947) was also known as an organizer of new music societies and as a conductor. He studied at the Paris Conservatory, making friends with Georges Enescu and Maurice Ravel. During his 19 years in Paris, Casella absorbed influences from the music of Debussy, the Russian Nationalists and Stravinsky, among other flourishing composers of the time. He returned to his native Italy from 1915-1922 and again from 1932-1947, when he organized the Venice Festival of Contemporary Music.
His Sicilienne et Burlesque for flute and piano was the 1914 contest piece requirement for the flute exit exams at the Paris Conservatory. The work, set in the traditional two-movement format of slow-fast, echoes early Italian music and French Impressionism, with touches of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring (notice the opening piano phrase). The accessible, neo-classical style and jovial virtuosity probably contributed to his later re-arrangement of this work for violin and cello. Catherine Ramirez
More music by Alfredo Casella
Barcarola e Scherzo
Toccata from Sinfonia,Arioso e Toccata op.59
Sinfonia from Sinfonia,Arioso e Toccata, op.59
Arioso from Sinfonia,Arioso e Toccata op.59
Pupazzetti
Performances by same musician(s)
Sonata in E Major, BWV 1035
Classical Music for the Internet Era™
Courtesy of International Music Foundation.