Niccolo Castiglione (1932-96) studied in Milan, and then with Gulda, Zecchi and Blacher at the Salzburg Mozarteum in 1952-3. He also attended the Darmstadt summer schools. Primarily a pianist early in his career, after a period of teaching he took to composition full time. He had a keen interest in musical criticism. His was an intellectual approach to composition, and he overcame the neo classical influences of his training, and swung away from the avant – garde, exploring the rather unfashionable late romantic style and the second Viennese School. This lead to a Webern – like serialism. In turn this gave way to the thoroughly non-experimental Symphony in C (his Third).
In short, Castiglioni was an individual voice among 20th century composers, and ploughed his own furrow. This CD contains music he composed during the Darmstadt years in the 1950s, and later works from the 80s and early 90s.
Other information:
- Unusual repertoire from a 20th century composer who is still little known.
- Featuring a booklet essay from the pianist, who knew Castiglioni well and provides a personal memoir of the composer.
