The combination of flute and guitar was a popular and appealing one for many amateur musicians of the early 19th century, and the Italian guitarist-composer Mauro Giuliani (1781-1829) realised its full potential with a string of commercial hits based on popular melodies of the time, well-known marches and arias, as well as more substantial concert works.
This is the first time that all of Giuliani’s flute-and-guitar music has been brought together and recorded in a single volume, and it makes for immensely attractive listening. His style is unfailingly pure, classically restrained and beautifully poised in its apparent lightness. Even the most overtly virtuosic moments are free of the pathos associated with masterworks of The Romantic age: this is music conceived to delight and to entertain first and foremost.
Following his birth and training as a musician in Italy, Giuliani enjoyed a profitable stay in Vienna from 1806 to 1819, winning the acquaintance and admiration of Beethoven. He struck up a friendship with a German flautist Johann Sedlatzeck (also admired by Beethoven) and together they gave many concerts together, in Vienna and on tour through Italy. The pieces featured on this collection were written for them to perform together and they accordingly make skilful use of the virtuosity and lyric gifts of both players.
CD1 presents the most substantial and technically challenging works in the collection, including three variation sets and two Gran duetti concertante: multi-movement sonatas with imposing introductions. The two Serenades on CD2 are conceived on an even grander scale but with a more light-hearted spirit, and CD3 features a series of captivating pot-pourris, beginning with an unlikely but charming transformation of the Commendatore’s summons at the climax of Mozart’s Don Giovanni.
The partnership of flautist Daniele Ruggieri and guitarist Alberto Mesirca is an established one, with an adventurous album of American 20th-century music for this combination to their credit (95753).
Mauro Giuliani (1781-1828) was a contemporary of Schubert and one of the many Italian guitar virtuosos who had to flee his own country to get noticed. He ended up in Vienna frequently playing in the fashionable salons and contributing to the guitar becoming all the rage there.
As a composer he mainly wrote for his own use: around 200 pieces in all. Many of his works are still popular today, and belong to the standard guitar repertoire.
'Composer, or rather translator of beauty'. This is how Giuliani described himself in a letter to Anton Diabelli on 24 January 1824, and it contains all the poetry and aesthetics of his music, which is quintessentially beautiful, charming, melodious and witty.
This new recording presents the complete works for flute and guitar, a popular combination. Included are sets of variations on popular themes from operas, serenades and divertimenti, potpourri’s, Grand Duo’s and Marches, a veritable treasure trove of instrumental brilliance and joie de vivre.
Flutist Daniele Ruggieri completed his studies in Venice where he graduated with the highest marks under Guido Novello and subsequently in Geneva where he was awarded the first Prix de Virtuosité in the class of Maxence Larrieu, after which he built an impressive career as a soloist and ensemble player: “...Rarely will you hear the flute flutter around a concert hall in such a beautiful and playful display of virtuosity.” (M. Connolly, The Times, London).
Master guitarist Alberto Mesirca is twice winner of the Golden Guitar, for the best recording of the Year. He recorded the complete guitar music by Regondi, Asencio and Sanz, and “Voces de Sefarad” , four centuries of Sephardic Songs.
