FRANCO CASAVOLA
catalogue

Franco Casavola (1891-1955) was a leading composer, theorist and writer within the Futurist movement in Italy. To read a detailed biography click here. To purchase CDs click here.


FUTURLIEDER (LTMCD 2454) £10
Futurlieder comprises 28 original works by Casavola written between 1922 and 1927, performed by Daniele Lombardi (piano) and Susanna Rigacci (soprano) and recorded between 1994 and 2004 for Radio Svizzera. This unique anthology of Futurist pages includes La Danza della Scimmie (Dance of the Monkeys) for the Teatro della Sorpresa, a tango for an 'Epileptic Cabaret', La canzone di Uriele (Uriele's Song, the text of which consists entirely of asemantic phonemes), Campari (one of the first published advertising jingles in history) and Fox-Trot Zoologico (Zoological Foxtrot), with its distinct cabaret flavour. Tankas, Quatrain and the several other lyrics written in the 1920s (to which Marinetti had listened with approval) offer a more refined timbre, and an alluring French flavour, which also connects with the aesthetic quality of the poetic texts by infamous man of action Gabriele d'Annunzio. The booklet contains rare images and detailed historical notes in English and Italian by Daniele Lombardi and James Hayward. 28 tracks, 66 minutes of music. Full tracklist: Uriele's Song, Campari, Dance of the Monkeys, Zoological Fox-trot, Tango Viola da Cabaret Epilettico, Tankas (1-6), Preludio a Prigionieri, Quatrain, Liriche (1-3), La sera (1-3), Entro i boschi alto e soli, Allegro, Come sorge la luna, Muoio de sete, Gioielleria notturna (1-2), Fides, Leila, Notte.

Reviews: "Composed entirely of piano and Riggaci's lovely soprano voice, Futurlieder is a collection of different song cycles. Franco Casavola's compositions have little relation to the noisier side of Futurism, and that it sounds so fresh might be a testament to what the movement stood for in the first place. Everything from his Tango for Epileptic Cabaret to the Tankas cycle is resonant with a playfulness that feels current and vibrant, alive despite its age. His poetic approach to topics, such as his Evening cycles, is always appropriate and harmonious, the concept matching the music superbly. Excellent liner notes also" (Brainwashed, 08/06); "The music is gorgeous and crystal clear. All the pieces are short, melodic, lyrical and pleasing. Riggaci's voice is like pure cool mountain water to my ears" (KFJC, 09/06)



MUSICA FUTURISTA: THE ART OF NOISES (LTMCD 2401) £10
73 minute collection of music and spoken word from the Italian Futurist movement 1909-1935, including original recordings by Marinetti, Russolo and Balilla Pratella. As well as vintage 'free verse' readings by Futurist figurehead F.T. Marinetti, the CD includes recordings of the celebrated intonarumori (noise intoners) created by Luigi Russolo, including the composition The Awakening of a City. Together with these period recordings, the CD includes contemporary performances of other key Futurist works by Balilla Pratella, Antonio Russolo, Aldo Giuntini, Luigi Grandi, Silvio Mix, Franco Casavola, Alfredo Casella, Matty Malneck and Frank Signorelli. All material on this definitive collection has been digitally remastered. The deluxe booklet features many rare images, as well as detailed historical notes by noted author James Hayward.

Reviews:"Of the major early 20th Century artistic movements, Futurism is widely acknowledged as a major influence, and the first in which music and performance were major elements. Musica Futurista contains the first substantial recordings of Futurist music, digitally remastered and with two additional tracks. The booklet text by James Hayward is informative" (The Wire, 09/04); "The influence of these works can be seen across multiple genres, from modern composition to avant rock and electronica" (Brainwashed, 08/04)

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