NICCOLÒ CASTIGLIONI (1932–1996)
COMPLETE PIANO WORKS • 1
ALDO ORVIETO
‘Niccolò Castiglioni was one of the most distinctive and original composers of the second half of the twentieth century who stood apart from his fellow-countrymen. Simplicity, conciseness, an inexhaustible melodic vein, skillful rhythmic variety, a subtle balance between playfulness, lyricism and mystical ecstasy, as well as an extraordinary inventiveness, are recurring characteristics of his unique musical language. A considerable body of pieces written between 1952 and 1954 documents the beginnings of his journey as a composer. From a form of Ravelian neo-classicism to dodecaphony, his musical style may be described as ‘the synthesis of seemingly disparate modes of writing… sprung from a fundamentally musical rather than theoretical instinct’. Castiglioni’s works also include purely tonal pieces of exquisite craftmanship.’ – Aldo Orvieto
