NINO ROTA (1911-1979): Cello Concerto No. 2, Concerto for Strings, Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano.

Description: The two concerti call for a small, classically-sized orchestra and the cello work (1973) is light and calm in demeanor, with all of Rota's characteristics: melodic and harmonic chromaticism with rich and memorable themes, clarity of structure and well-balanced scoring. The wistful first movement of the concerto for strings (1965-65, rev. 1977) is followed by a robust scherzo and heartfelt adagio, which pays hommage to Bach's Air on the G string. It concludes frenetically and in cyclical fashion with references to previous thematic material. The 16-minute trio has a strong whiff of the atmosphere of Rota's music for Fellini's La strada . I Musici di Parma; Enrico Bronzi (cello), Alesssandro Carbonare (clarinet), Alberto Miodini (piano).