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Editorial Reviews

Rare is the album that features works by Puccini that do not include anything selected from his operas. Indeed, this compact disc showcases three works that may be unfamiliar to lovers of "La bohème." The first work featured, "Preludio Sinfonico," was completed when the composer was just 18 years of age, and bears distinction as Puccini's premiere opus. While certainly a work of early simplicity, it does contain the sumptuous lyrical lines that characterize Puccini's later works, beautifully realized and shaped by conductor Antonio Pappano and the London Symphony Orchestra. The "Messa di Gloria" is also an early work, and was in fact Puccini's graduation piece for the Musical Institute of Lucca, Italy. Tenor Roberto Alagna, baritone Thomas Hampson, and the London Symphony Chorus all radiate musicality under Pappano's energetic, sweeping baton, although the work itself is not one of Puccini's most interesting. The real gem, in fact, is the work named after the flower associated with funeral rites in Italy, Crisantemi, a piece for string orchestra. An arrangement by the composer of an elegy originally written for string quartet was composed in a single night in 1890, written as a memorial for Duke of Savoy. This work has a lush coldness that shimmers in the hands of Pappano, who brings an innate musical phrasing to this haunting, somber work. In fact, an Italian by blood, Pappano brings atmosphere, commitment, and excitement to all of the works on the album. The EMI liner notes unfortunately tell nothing in depth of any of Puccini's works, and the massive translated biographies of the conductor (with no mention of the music) are frustrating. The bottom line: although the grainy sound quality is sub-par for a modern recording (2000), these performances are nevertheless a worthwhile introduction to Puccini's early, non-operatic works. C. Ryan Hill, All Music Guide

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