These are good performances of music by a wildly inconsistent composer. Stylistically, Malipiero (1882-1973) was all over the place. Gabrieliana, obviously, is an arrangement of music by Gabrieli; the Madrigali are arrangements of vocal works by Monteverdi (from Book VII of his madrigals). The Serenata manages to be cute and quirky without a single memorable melodic idea, while both the 5 Favole (fables) and the Venetian songs belong to the composer’s late, almost atonal style. The latter work even begins with a 12-note row, though Malipiero doesn’t do anything further with it (he was a big fan of Schoenberg, evidently).
The performances, as mentioned, are quite satisfying. Mezzo-soprano Damiana Pinti has an attractive voice, and she uses it effectively to characterize the text. Bassoonist Paolo Carlini plays quite well, though he’s too closely miked. You really never can get far enough away from a solo bassoon. The ensemble handles the music’s loony range of styles with aplomb, and conductor Marzio Conti leads them with skill and affection. The rating reflects the quality of the works themselves rather more than the caliber of the performances as such. It’s your call.
