Giovanni SGAMBATI (1841–1914): Sinfonia festiva (‘Ouverture de fête’) (1878/79)*, Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 15 (1879/80). *WORLD PREMIERE RECORDING Massimiliano Damerini, Piano 2–4 Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma Francesco La Vecchia

Description: Giovanni Sgambati was a favourite student of Liszt and was admired by Wagner. The Piano Concerto in G minor is a heroic work; the Sinfonia festiva, receiving its world premiere recording here, is confidently written and inspired by the dance-like character of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony. The late Massimiliano Damerini is the pianist in the concerto. We previously offered Sgambati’s impressive Symphony No. 1 (09U003, 01O002) and the equally memorable Symphony No. 2 (12Y013, 09U003), with the same orchestra and conductor.