I was not aware of the tragically short-lived Italian pianist Dino Ciani but after listening to these beautiful recordings of the master's piano concertos, I will seek out more of his work and do this as much as I can.
Ciani plays K. 503 with carefree abandon and the joy and versatility of youth married with maturity and an innate understanding of this magnificent music. He receives committed yet at the same time, liberal accompaniment in the shape of Sir John Barbirolli who lets the pianist play without clipped wings.
K. 466 is slightly different with Bellugi occasionally on different paths than Ciani, especially in the wonderful Adagio. However, one is again bowled over by the sheer technical accomplishment of the playing and the loving abandon that this pianist brings to proceedings.
Arts have done all historical enthusiasts a great favour by reissuing these recordings from the vault of obscurity and I am eager to listen to further releases which feature Dino Ciani, that doyen of Italian pianists who died all too early in what could have been a wonderful career.
Copyright © 2007, Gerald Fenech