MARIO PILATI (1903-1938): Concerto for Orchestra in C, 3 Pieces, Suite for Strings and Piano, By the Cradle.

Description: Pilati's music is a of mixture of neo-classicism, post-impressionism and some of the more "modern" tendencies of the 20s and 30s. The 1932 concerto (with a prominent piano part) is all joy and sunshine, with modal touches in its slow movement which may suggest that Pilati knew Respighi's Concerto in modo misolidio and whose finale is a rondo on a rustic Tyrolean theme. The 1925 suite is in four movements in neo-classical form, based on old dance tunes, allowing Pilati to demonstrate his creativity in deriving contrasting material from a unitary thematic source. The 3 Pieces (1929) are, again, dances (Minuetto, Habanera and Furlana) but here the composer's sense of humor and irreverence are taken to a further level. A melancholy little Berceuse completed three weeks before Pilati's death may have been a farewell to himself. Tomás Nemec (piano), Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra; Adriano. Original 2002 Marco Polo release.