The Italian-American composer Vittorio Giannini wrote large, sweeping works, full of unabashed lyricism in a "Romanticism for the 20th century"style. Giannini cared little for the musical trends surrounding him, and for this reason his impeccably crafted compositions remained lesser-known than that of his contemporaries (even whilst the works of stylistically kindred-spirits Hanson, Creston, W. Schuman etc. managed to capture the spotlight). Giannini was one of the finest American symphonists, and for those of you who are not yet acquainted with his music, I think this recording will bear this out.
Giannini was not without his supporters, among them no less the composer and music critic Virgil Thompson who had this to say: "Giannini's talent has long been known as phenomenal, and now . . . he writes like a master . . . with such fine skill and such pretty taste that no one can deny him a place among the authentic composers of our time. By following none of the contemporary trends, in fact, he has arrived at a highly individual position."
The Piano Concerto is a purely Romantic work, and while the Symphony No. 4 is almost half the duration of the Concerto, it is a substantial and moving affair.
Enjoy!
V.Giannini_Piano_Cto_Symphony_4-Tzadik.zip
http://www85.zippyshare.com/v/DLiuq126/file.html
