‘The two pastiche suites, La cimarosiana and Gabrieliana, are well fashioned if inconsequential. The Tre commedie goldoniane (1925) have been described by John G. Waterhouse in his book on the composer as “perhaps the richest expression of the comic side of his genius”. The ideas are drawn from episodes from the operas and are full of life and character. The ballet Stradivario comes from 1947 – 48, when Malipiero was director of the Venice Conservatory. It tells how in the silence of the night all the instruments from the collection come alive and dance. It is all pleasing and inventive, more than adequately played by the Orchestre della Svizzera under Christian Benda and decently recorded… Not for nothing did Malipiero command respect both in the Italian musical world and internationally during his lifetime.’
Penguin Guide
