Well-being at work

Infinite Drive

Spanish music with inspiration from Renaissance madrigals

08 Arietta: Andante nostalgico

2025
Nicolò Biemmi, basson
Giulia Contaldo, piano

Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco - Sonatina for bassoon and piano, Op. 130 - I. Allegretto

7. Beyond The Shadow

XXXVII: tranquil meadows

Francesco Cilea’s opera Adriana Lecouvreur, with a libretto by Arturo Colautti, was composed between 1899 and 1902, drawing from the eponymous drama by Eugène Scribe and Ernest Legouvé. The work recounts the life of the historical figure Adrienne Lecouvreur, a Comédie-Française actress, and her rumored poisoning, linked to her affair with the Count of Saxony, betrothed to the Princess of Bouillon, her suspected murderer. Commissioned by Sonzogno, the opera premiered on November 6, 1902, at Milan’s Teatro Lirico, achieving resounding success and cementing Cilea’s status as a leading figure in Italian Verismo.
The opera’s intermezzo weaves themes from its four acts, adhering to classical opera conventions. Its orchestration is deliberately sparse, typically using strings and select woodwinds, offering performers and audiences a brief respite. In this wind ensemble adaptation, the intermezzo transcends its operatic origins, reimagined as a standalone symphonic work. The enriched instrumentation emphasizes contrapuntal interplay, highlighting individual voices within the wind orchestra. This transcription showcases the ensemble’s potential, challenging the historical undervaluation of such groups. By revitalizing this rarely performed opera, the arrangement promotes a renewed appreciation of its legacy.

Intermezzo from F. Cilea Opera "Adriana Lecouvreur" (for Symphonic Band)

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In love with Johann: Imagine music could tell stories... This improvisation on Johann Sebastian Bach's Prelude opens up like an intimate conversation with his wife

In love with Johann

2024 saw Tiffany's successful debut album release on Pentatone - "Diaries: Schumann" which has amassed over 10 million streams to date and charted at No.1 on Apple Music Classical across four continents in addition to the Billboard Charts (Traditional Classical Albums).

AN EXISTENTIAL QUEST THROUGH SCHUMANN’S MUSIC

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Tiffany Poon, “classical pianist of the new generation”, who makes her Pentatone debut with her album Diaries. Through her vivid interpretation of Robert Schumann’s masterpieces, Tiffany invites us on a journey through her musical diary.

With a selection ranging from the introspective Kinderszenen to the passionate Davidsbündlertänze, she creates a tapestry that reflects the different aspects of her life and her personal growth. With this album Tiffany aims to invite the listeners to connect with the different aspects of ourselves, be vulnerable and imaginative like Schumann’s Eusebius and Florestan. This album encourages daydreaming in open spaces, “feeling all the feels”, without any judgement. Experience the brilliance of this rising star as she shares her innermost thoughts and musical prowess through the captivating melodies of Schumann.



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Schumann: Davidsbündlertänze Op.6, Heft II - 8. Wie aus der Ferne

Timofei Kharitonenko. Chess sonate for Queen

Andantino - M. Carcassi

Casual jazz guitarist trying to play tunes I love. 

I am posting a few tunes from various sessions of quartets, trios (guitar/bass/drums, guitar/bass/trumpet, guitar/bass/keyboard) and duets.  Most recordings are made at home and a few at a student studio.

Some postings from recent quartet performance

thanks for listening

Cheers!

Andantino - M. Carcassi

Bob Orr

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