Bottesini: Duets

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Many of the compositions of Giovanni Bottesini, the so-called Paganini of the double bass, are influenced by the operatic stylings of Rossini, Donizetti, Verdi, and others. This is not surprising as he was himself a successful opera composer and conductor, and instrumental arrangements of opera themes and works with a similar cantabile style were extremely popular at the time. Bottesini wrote several such works for solo double bass with other instruments, accompanied by orchestra. This Stradivarius album features three of the more popular examples, including the Duetto for clarinet and double bass, the Gran Duo Concertante (often played with two double basses but heard here with bass and violin), and the Passione Amorose for violin and double bass. At the heart of each of these compositions is, of course, the bass itself, a duty that is ably handled by Enrico Fagone. He nimbly traverses the vast reaches of the bass's fingerboard with solid intonation and a rich but well-defined tone. Musically, Fagone's interpretations are pleasant but somewhat hindered by the technical demands of the music. For an album entitled Duets, it is curious that the biggest work on this program is not a duet at all, but rather the frequently played B minor Concerto. Fagone seems more comfortable and relaxed here than in the three duets; his musicality is more at ease and freely flowing. At only 48 minutes in length, this is definitely a lean album that could have easily added more of Bottesini's many duets featuring the double bass.
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