Giovanni Bottesini (1821-89) Double Bass Concerto No. 2 in B Minor (I) Allegro (Ii) Andante (Iii) Allegro

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Giovanni Bottesini (1821-89) Double Bass Concerto no. 2 in B minor (i) Allegro (ii) Andante (iii) Allegro One of the most colourful – and mysterious – celebrities in nineteenth-century music is Giovanni Bottsini, the double bass virtuoso who also became a successful opera composer and conductor. Bottesini was to the double bass what Paganini was to the violin, or Liszt to the piano, a virtuoso supreme who astonished his audiences with effects previously unimaginable. At the age of fifteen he applied for a scholarship at the Milan Conservatory. On learning that there were only a few remaining places, including one reserved for double bass, he gave himself a crash course on the instrument, mastering enough technique to convince the selection panel he was worthy. He left the Conservatory four years later, taking with him a prize of 300 francs for solo playing. Soon he was touring the world as a principal bass and conductor for leading opera houses from Havana to London, delighting audiences during interval with his spectacular variations on arias from whatever opera was being presented. Bottesini must have been a splendid conductor. His friend, Giuseppe Verdi, entrusted him with the premier of Aïda in 1871. Bottesini also composed operas himself, at least ten, but none survives in the repertoire. His works for double bass, however, including two concertos, have become essential repertoire for bass players. But Bottesini was less than systematic in his paper work, and scholars are unable to date most of his works. Some, including his Second Concerto, survive only in piano reduction form, requiring others to create orchestral versions. Alexander Arai-Swale, ANAM alumnus and currently a member of the Karajan Academy, speaks to us from Berlin about the mysterious Maestro Bottesini. .

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Bottesini Enjoyed a Globe-Trotting Career As “The Paganini of the Double Bass” but Was Also an Accomplished and Respected Conductor in Europe
NAXOS NAXOS Giovanni Bottesini enjoyed a globe-trotting career as “the Paganini of the double bass” but was also an accomplished and respected conductor in Europe. When conducting operas Bottesini would often perform fantasies on the evening’s entertainment during the intermission. Two such fantasies, ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ and ‘Beatrice di Tenda’, are virtuosic tours de force in which the complex double bass figurations mimic the coloratura vocal writing of the day. In keeping with this vocal 8.570399 BOTTESINI: style, this recording also includes the song Une bouche aimée with double bass obbligato, most likely BOTTESINI: performed on one of Bottesini’s frequent concert tours with various leading sopranos of the day. DDD Giovanni Playing Time BOTTESINI 71:55 (1821-1889) Fantasia ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ 1 Fantasia ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ 10:52 Fantasia ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ 2 Romanza drammatica 8:25 3 Introduzione e bolero 8:50 4 Romanza: Une bouche aimée * 5:12 5 Capriccio di bravura 9:14 6 Elégie in D 5:24 7 Fantasia ‘Beatrice di Tenda’ 11:47 8 Grande Allegro di Concerto 12:11 www.naxos.com Made in Germany Booklet notes in English Kommentar auf Deutsch Naxos Rights International Ltd. ൿ 1992 & Thomas Martin, Double Bass Anthony Halstead, Piano Ꭿ Jacquelyn Fugelle, Soprano * 2008 Includes Free Downloadable Bonus Track available at www.classicsonline.com. Please see inside booklet for full details. The sung text and English translation included 8.570399 These can also be accessed at www.naxos.com/libretti/570399.htm 8.570399 Recorded at CTS Studios, Wembley, London, UK in November 1982 and February 1984 Producer: Chris Hazell Engineer: Dick Lewzey Previously released on ASV CD DCA 626 Booklet notes: Francesca Franchi Cover Picture: Double Bass by Carlo Antonio Testore (1693–1765), Milan 1716 .
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Bottesini US 5/12/08 12:05 Page 8
570400bk Bottesini US 5/12/08 12:05 Page 8 Io ti chiamo e affido all’onde il tuo nome I call you and entrust to the waves your name ed un sospir, and a sigh, Non un eco, mi risponde muto Not even an echo answers me, è il cielo ai miei desir, heaven and earth are deaf to my desires. Triste un metro di dolore la mia cetra spira invan. A sad metre of sorrow is given out in vain by my lyre. Non va gio del mio core, There is no joy in my heart, ci divide l’ocean. we are divided by the ocean. Più non va per me sorriso non accento lusinghier, There is no smile for me, there is no happy sound, BOTTESINI Se non splende il tuo bel viso If your beautiful face does not shine forever sempre fervido pensier. in my fervent thought. Non va gioia nel mio core, There is no joy in my heart, ci divide l’ocean. we are divided by the ocean. Fantasia ‘La 0 Romanza Dove fuggiste mai giorni del primo amore, Where have the days of first love gone? Sonnambula’ L’uomo che tanto amai perché non m’ama ancor, The man of my first love no longer loves me. Io ti tradiva, è vero, io ti mancai di fè. I did not keep my promise, I betrayed you. Ma il palpito primiero spento nel cor non è. But the first throb of my heart is no more. Ci divide l’ocean Ah, la man che a te giurai ad altra man s’unì, Ah the hand that swore to you is joined to another Ah, ma t’amo ancor lo sai come t’amavo un dì, ah!..
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