Berio: Ritirata notturna di Madrid, Calmo & Sinfonia

Dive into the avant-garde world of Luciano Berio with this captivating album, released on October 14, 2014, under the Ondine label. This 53-minute journey through Berio's unique compositional style features a blend of classical influences and innovative techniques, showcasing his mastery of orchestration and vocal integration.

The album opens with "Ritirata notturna di Madrid," a masterful arrangement by Berio of a movement from Luigi Boccherini's "Musica notturna delle strade di Madrid." This piece is presented in four original versions, each offering a fresh perspective on the original material. Following this is "Calmo," a hauntingly beautiful work for mezzo-soprano and 22 instruments, with text by Homer.

The centerpiece of the album is Berio's "Sinfonia," a monumental work for eight voices and orchestra. This five-movement piece is a testament to Berio's compositional prowess, featuring a diverse range of influences and techniques. The movements are performed in the following order: I. —, II. O King, III. In ruhig fliessender Bewegung, IV. —, and V. —.

The album features the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Hannu Lintu, with mezzo-soprano Virpi Räisänen delivering a stunning vocal performance. The combination of these exceptional artists and Berio's groundbreaking compositions makes for an unforgettable listening experience. Whether you're a fan of classical music or an explorer of avant-garde sounds, this album is sure to captivate and inspire.

Luciano Berio, a seminal figure in 20th-century music, was an Italian composer renowned for his innovative and experimental approach to composition. Born in 1925, Berio's work spanned a wide range of techniques, from serialism and electronic music to indeterminacy and the incorporation of spoken texts. His early influences included Igor Stravinsky, and his later works, such as the iconic 'Sinfonia,' are celebrated for their intellectual depth and visceral power. Berio was not just a composer but also a conductor and educator, founding the Juilliard Ensemble in New York City and delivering the prestigious Charles Eliot Norton Lectures at Harvard. His prolific career, which included a vast array of genres and styles, solidified his status as a leader of the international avant-garde, standing alongside figures like Pierre Boulez and György Ligeti. Berio's legacy endures through his groundbreaking compositions and his enduring influence on contemporary music.