PIETRO MASCAGNI (1863-1945): Alla gioja for Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Chorus and Piano.

Description: Here's something truly unusual: a 71-minute setting of Schiller's complete "Ode to Joy" in Italian translation for soloists, chorus and piano. It was apparently written in 1881 for use in getting accepted at the Milan Conservatory and has lots of Ponchielli and Verdi but mainly it's a monument to Mascagni's youthful talent in writing dramatic music in multiple styles for multiple voices (there's also a choral fugue). No texts. Rosita Santi (soprano), Michael Alfonsi (tenor), Massimiliano Fichera (baritone), Stefano Rinaldi Milani (bass), Andrea Trovato (piano), Choir Città di Firenze; Ennio Clari.