Giovanni Sgambati led the revival of Italian orchestral music during the late 19th century. He was a favourite student of Liszt, admired by Wagner, and a pivotal figure in the emancipation of his country’s music from the dominance of bel canto opera. The Piano Concerto in G minor is a stirring and inventive work signalling a new beginning for Italian piano music on the international stage. It offers a synthesis of the possibilities of the genre, evoking Liszt, Brahms and Tchaikovsky, as Sgambati constantly transforms his thematic material to heroic effect. Sinfonia festiva is a short, confidently written work inspired by the dance-like character of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony.

Francesco La Vecchia and the Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma are Naxos’s specialists in late 19th/20th-century Italian orchestral music.

Their recording of Sgambati’s Symphony no.1 (8573007) received splendid reviews: ‘these performances by Francesco La Vecchia and the Symphony Orchestra of Rome are nothing short of magnificent…’ (Fanfare).

Symphony no.2 can be heard on 8572686: ‘The Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma under its artistic director, Italian conductor Francesco La Vecchia gives superb performances of both selections’ (Classical Lost and Found).

The same forces have recorded Alfredo Casella’s Symphony no.3 (8572415) commended by ClassicsToday.com; ‘the performances are wholly convincing, well-played and recorded’.

Massimiliano Damerini is a renowned Italian pianist and composer. His piano repertoire is vast – ranging from the 18th century to contemporary works – and composers such as Salvatore Sciarrino, Andrea Ferrante, Roberto Carnevale and Vittorio Fellegara dedicated pieces to him. In 1992 he was awarded Italy’s prestigious Franco Abbiati Prize for concert artist of the year.

In 2002 Francesco La Vecchia took up the position of artistic director and resident conductor of the Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma. Under his leadership the orchestra rapidly achieved success in highly successful visits to St Petersburg, Madrid, Belgrade, Brussels, Rio de Janeiro, London, Athens, Berlin, Beijing and Vienna. La Vecchia has also conducted at many prestigious venues, including the Kennedy Center, Washington and Carnegie Hall among many others. The ‘Maestro’ series of recordings, named after him, was first released in 1999.