Bottesini: Duetto / Capriccio / Gran Quintetto

Musicians from the Orchestra del Teatro Regio Torino with Elda Laro (piano) here bring up a unique recording of chamber works by Giovanni Bottesini.

A double-bass virtuoso and an inspired composer, Bottesini distinguished himself from the Italian operatic trends at the time with his chamber music, becoming an extraordinary personality in the romantic musical world. Although he is mostly famous for his compositions devoted to the double-bass as a solo instrument, there is much to discover in his chamber music, Verdi himself defining Bottesini as being 'smeared with quartetism' before nominating him, just before his death, as Principal of Parma Conservatory.

'How exciting to hear this fine recording of little-known and interesting works of Bottesini... The early Capriccio for two double-basses is a treat in its first recording and shares the same ending as the charming Duetto for clarinet and double-bass. The Gran Quintetto gives us a glimpse of the composer's chamber music style… Davide Botto along with Davide Ghio, Alessandro Dorella, and all the other musicians give great performances.' Thomas Martin