“ITALIA” is the title of Curt Cacioppo’s latest release. This is the composer’s 10th disc, and features exclusively music that he has written either in Italy or in response to Italian inspiration. The first work is “Impressions of Venice” (“Impressioni venexiane”), performed by the ensemble that commissioned it, the Quartetto di Venezia. Next is a set of solo piano pieces penned while in residence in Tuscany and entitled “On the Road of the Seven Bridges” (“Sulla Via dei Sette Ponti”). The performer is virtuoso Matthew Bengtson. Rounding off the program is a work called “Red Dove of Libya” (“Colomba scarlatta della Libia”), for an ensemble that includes flute, harp, contrabass and percussion, with vocal recitation. The story behind it concerns cult practices at the ancient Temple of Venus located in Sicily in the town of Erice. Members of Philadelphia’s Network for New Music, for whom the piece was composed, give it a vivid interpretation.

“Curt Cacioppo: Italia” is Navona Records CD#5827. Accompanying the disc is an enhanced content website where you can find extended program notes in both English and Italian, composer and performer bios, audio and video commentaries by the composer, slide shows synched to each work that reveal the images that inspired the music, as well as scores for study, and downloadable images suitable for computer desktop display.

For more information go to https://curtcacioppo.com/recordings.
To access enhanced content on the Navona site, visit http://navonarecords.com/italia/.