Film Music of Nino Rota

Soulful!

These pieces are the ORIGINAL piano transcriptions written and often performed by Nino Rota himself during his piano recitals. On a more intimate and personal note, Rota also had personally performed these compositions on his piano in the attic room in Piazza delle Coppelle, in Rome, for Piermarco De Santi (the originator of this compilation). A copy of these original transcriptions were later given by Rota to De Santi, who had became a personal friend in his later years. Therefore, the piano renditions on this disc is of no small value, and should be in the repertoire of any Nino Rota fan.

These piano pieces are not an homage to Rota, as mentioned; they are, in essence, Nino Rota in the purest form. And how beautiful that form is. I could imagine Rota: his fingers flowing and pounding on the keys, as the reality of these pieces take form; the melodies oozing from his soul and thought, metamorphosizing into sonic bliss through the piano. Before there was any full blown orchestration, there was Rota on the piano.

In these recordings, the pianist, Massimo Palumbo, plays these pieces brilliantly, with alot of sensitivity and emotion. The recording is also excellent, which is very necessary in order for the soft passages in some of these tracks to be heard.

"Romeo and Juliet" will always be my favourite Nino Rota composition. This rendition is the most complete edition I have heard on the piano (with or without orchestration), or on any other instrument thus far. The playing is poignant, articulate, and passionate. I am extremely delighted that I now own it.

The Godfather "Love's Theme" on this disc is paced perfectly; this slow and lyrical piano rendition has a tenderness that no full orchestra can ever match.

"The Glass Mountain" is one of Rota's favourite compositions. This piece took him to international stardom in the forties, well before his triumphant collaboration with Fellini. After hearing Palumbo recite them, I could understand why. This piece is not only melodic and lyrical, but dark and tumultuous.

This CD is a small price to pay for a peak inside the soul of Nino Rota.

September 10, 2003

Nino Rota Lite

Buyer beware...this is an "homage" to Nino Rota - a solo piano recital that falls flat on the ears. Without the magnificant orchestrations - the bells and whistles! - of the original soundtracks what do you have? Zero sense of the films and little trace of Nino Rota!

Buy "La Dolce Vita" (soundtrack) "Fellini & Rota" (soundtrack compilation)and "Amarcord" (soundtrack)

Ciao! May 10, 2002

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