Alfredo Casella - Symphony No.2 in C-minor, Op.12 (1909)

Alfredo Casella (25 July 1883 – 5 March 1947) was an Italian composer, pianist and conductor.

Work: Symphony No.2 in C-minor, Op.12 (1909)

Mov.I: Lento grave solenne – Allegro energico – Allegro moderato assai - Lento – Allegro assai vivace – Tempo I (Allegro energico) – Lento - Allegro mosso 00:00
Mov.II: Allegro molto vivace – Più allegro 13:23
Mov.III: Adagio quasi andante 23:51
Mov.IV: Finale: Tempo di marcia ben risoluto con fuoco – Allegro vivo
Tempo I (Allegro risoluto) – Epilogo: Adagio mistico 36:51

Orchestra: Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma

Conductor: Francesco La Vecchia

[paolopasquini]

Casella è uno dei grandi musicisti italiani del 900, che gli italiani non conoscono e non ascoltano.

[anandsamuel]

Monumental is the only word I can find to describe this amazing symphony!

[gerardbegni]

Casella was 26 years old when he wrote this symphony. He strongly supported Mahler, and something Mahlerian can be found in that music, in the epic and rythmic sense. This work is exceptionnally mature in a postromantic style for a still young composer. The general style is epic, heroic and optimistic. Brasses play a great role in the orchestra. Anecdotially, we can note the use of bells.
This splendid symphony deserves to stay within the repertoire.

[paullewis]

I’ve been listening to so-called classical music since I was around 10/11 years old but have never encountered this composer before. That’s the great thing about YouTube :-)

[rationallogo]

I was sitting in the front row under Maestro Gianandrea Noseda in Verizon Hall last night to hear this piece performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra. In my 45 years of listening to concert music I have NEVER been so awe struck at listening to a piece for the first time. Incredibly demanding for the musicians to play, and that second my. Thank you, Maestro Casella, for penning this piece and thank you, Philadelphia Orchestra, for presenting the US World Premier of this symphony.

[gerardbegni]

Wonderful symphony, written while his fellow composers wroy=te verist operas !!!! Casella was a great supporter of Gustav Mhler, and that can be retrieved in this symphony, which is not a copy. Simply, Mahler seems to have given him the daring to write such a symphony, which is a masterpiece. Never would we expect such a work from an Italian composer. Wfen you start listening to that symphony, you cannot stop, it is fascinating. The rendering is excellent.

[MrDSCH-ibmx]

I saw this symphony live conducted by my teacher, Yoonsung Chang, on his inaugural concert of the Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra. Simply extraordinary!! I got goosebumbs all the way!!

[robertoquirino]

Solo commenti in lingua inglese? e commenti di ascoltatori italiani? Ogni volta che ascolto per la prima volta composizioni del nostro Novecento rimango stupito per la loro bellezza e per il loro grandissimo spessore culturale, musica per niente provinciale, ma di respiro internazionale.

[jackwilmoresongs]

This must be for me the best Italian symphony I've heard so far.

[fulviopolce]

Una sinfonia pienamente italiana, di un compositore italiano.
Ottima la direzione e l'esecuzione orchestrale.

[richdisilvio]

The Ultimate & Greatest Italian Symphony ever composed, with Casella's First Symphony close behind.

[jorgesavarino]

Musica impresionante, bella, enérgica, para escuchar mil veces.Poco difundida como siempre.Sino es la de los clásicos no sirve y no se ejecuta.He escuchado además la numero 2 y también me impresiona .Gracias Casella.From Argentina

[mrturtle]

This has to be one of the best symphonic endings ever. omg.

[mikemdoc]

Beats me that we never hear this performed.  Breathtaking

[ronaldbwoodall]

This is an awesome symphony! How Mahlerian can a composer be, and still create a work that is so imbued with his own concept and personality as to make any resemblance above criticism? Casella gives us his convincing answer to that question here.  From the menacing first movement through the cataclysmic second, the troubled "adagio", and the apocalyptic/triumphant finale, its' relentless forward motion and kinetic energy is almost overpowering. I'm sure its' full effect can only be experienced in the concert hall, but this great recording is a welcome alternative.

[gildagallerati]

Potente, evocativa, inevitabile il raffronto con Mahler, ma anche con Brahm e forse anche con la nona di Beethoven. Certamente un ritmo innovativo quasi cantabile....bella

[bowerdw]

I can live with saying this was awesome!

[gerardbegni]

This symphony is absolutely awesome from teh beginning to thr rnd. The influence of Mahler is obvious, but we do not find these extatic moments nither these prseudo-folkloric themes that we find in Mahler's work. It is indeed a versy great and consistent symphony.

[lucianobonomi]

Grande Casella. Mi era quasi sconosciuto. Grazie di averlo postato.

[antoniocolica]

Casella un grande del 900 Italiano non conosciuto dai tanti ma apprezzato dagli intenditori .