Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Chamber Works Leonard Becker

• Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (1895 - 1968): Guitar Quintet in F Major, Op. 143:
• 1Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Guitar Quintet in F Major, Op. 143: I. Allegro, vivo e schietto06:12
• 2Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Guitar Quintet in F Major, Op. 143: II. Andante mesto07:22
• 3Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Guitar Quintet in F Major, Op. 143: III. Scherzo. Allegro con spirito, alla marcia05:05
• 4Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Guitar Quintet in F Major, Op. 143: IV. Finale. Allegro con fuoco06:11
• Eclogues, Op. 206 (Version for Flute, English Horn & Guitar):
• 5Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Eclogues, Op. 206 (Version for Flute, English Horn & Guitar): I. Andantino quieto03:05
• 6Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Eclogues, Op. 206 (Version for Flute, English Horn & Guitar): II. Allegro con spirito [Tempo di saltarello]02:03
• 7Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Eclogues, Op. 206 (Version for Flute, English Horn & Guitar): III. Lento - Elegiaco04:14
• 8Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Eclogues, Op. 206 (Version for Flute, English Horn & Guitar): IV. Girotondo. Allegro vivace, con spirito02:15
• Fantasia for Guitar & Piano, Op. 145:
• 9Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Fantasia for Guitar & Piano, Op. 145: I. Andantino05:43
• 10Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Fantasia for Guitar & Piano, Op. 145: II. Vivacissimo03:29
• Sonatina for Flute & Guitar in G Major, Op. 205:
• 11Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Sonatina for Flute & Guitar in G Major, Op. 205: I. Allegretto grazioso04:17
• 12Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Sonatina for Flute & Guitar in G Major, Op. 205: II. Tempo di siciliana04:37
• 13Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Sonatina for Flute & Guitar in G Major, Op. 205: III. Scherzo-Rondo04:15
• Total Runtime58:48

Info for Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Chamber Works

Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco was one of Italy’s most influential and important composers during the 20th century. He was inspired to write for the guitar after meeting Andrés Segovia, and in the years that followed he wrote over one hundred works for the instrument. The Quintet for Guitar and String Quartet, a rare combination, reveals perfect sonority and construction with a serene Iberian mood. The Sonatina for Flute and Guitar contrasts joyfulness with poignant melodies, while the Eclogues are bucolic and lively. Written for Segovia and his wife Paquita Madriguera, the Fantasia for guitar and piano presents an expertly blended texture for this combination of instruments. Guitarist Leonard Becker is the Second Prize winner of the International Hannabach Guitar Competition 2020, held in Augsburg, Germany. He has performed with orchestras including the Pilsen Philharmonic Orchestra, with which he performed Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuezin 2019. Alongside Louis Vandory, Valerie Steenken, Elisabeth Buchner and Márton Braun he is the founder of the Tedesco-Quintett (guitar and string quartet), which won First Prize at the International Chamber Music Competition ‘Gerhard Vogt’ in 2019.

Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s interest in writing for the guitar began after he met the legendary Andrés Segovia. He went on to compose over a hundred works for the instrument, including concertos, chamber music, many solos and some of the finest pieces for two guitars.

The most substantial work on this new album is his Guitar Quintet, Op. 143, which the composer introduced as follows:

‘This was composed in less than a month (between 7 February and 5 March 1950). It is a melodious and serene work, partly neo-Classic and partly neo-Romantic (like most of my works). I would say it is written almost in a Schubertian vein – Schubert has always been one of my favourite composers.’

Leonard Becker, classical guitar
Louis Vandory, violin
Valerie Steenken, violin
Elisabeth Buchner, viola
Marton Braun, cello
Chloe Dufossez, flute
Clara Isabella Siegle, piano

Leonard Becker
has been studying with professor Franz Halasz in Munich since 2017, and is the Second Prize winner of the International Hannabach Guitar Competition 2020, held in Augsburg, Germany.

He has performed with orchestras including the Pilsen Philharmonic Orchestra, with which he performed Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez in 2019.

Alongside Louis Vandory, Valerie Steenken, Elisabeth Buchner and Márton Braun he is the founder of the Tedesco-Quintett (guitar and string quartet), which won First Prize at the International Chamber Music Competition ‘Gerhard Vogt’ in 2019.

Booklet for Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Chamber Works