Dini Argeo

When we talk about Vincenzo Bellini, we think of his operas (Norma, I Puritani). Sony Classical fills a discographical gap by offering this first world recording of the 8 symphonies composed by Bellini, before the composer goes to the Opera. The Orchestration of his symphonies is very simple, but Bellini excels in expressing tender and melancholy feelings. Here is a real rarity not to be missed. Magisterially performed by the orchestra of the birthplace of composer Palermo. At the head of the orchestra, oboist Diego Dina Ciacci, who for some years has been reconciling his career as a soloist with that of conductor.

Ferlendis composed four oboe concertos which, up until now, existed only in nineteenth-century copies of the scores, with only one being recorded. This is the first time these have been recorded on CD. Although the concertos contain some clear elements of Mozartian coinage, their melodic wealth of ideas and natural elegance point to the composer’s Italian temperament. Six trios, here in the instrumentation for oboe, flute, and bassoon, round off the recording.