Riccardo Pes: ‘Degenerate Music’ for Cello

The Strad Issue: March 2025

Description: A lack of individuality makes for an underwhelming listen

Musicians: Riccardo Pes (cello) Pierluigi Piran (piano)

Works: Fano: Cello Sonata. Massarani: Sonatina. Sinigaglia: Cello Sonata

Catalogue number: TACTUS TC870003 

This recording forms part of the Viktor Ullmann Festival whose mission is to rescue music by composers who were persecuted during the Fascist period due to their racial origins. On the evidence of the repertoire here, Italian instrumental modernism was far less extreme than the more hard-hitting ‘degenerate’ music from other parts of Europe. The vernacular is unashamedly Romantic, with obvious allusions to Brahms, Schumann and Dvořák, resulting in music that is accessible, lyrical and melodious.

Fano’s Cello Sonata is pleasant enough, but the performance doesn’t always show it in the best light. For example, the pianist’s articulation is sometimes brittle and ‘notey’, especially in the second movement. There is also insufficient dynamic gradation in the playing; perhaps the most compelling movement is the ‘Appassionata’, which has virtuosic flourishes and some verve.

Sinigaglia tragically died at the age of 75 in transit to Auschwitz. His amiable music boasts some soaring melodies. Unfortunately, the performance of his Cello Sonata is somewhat limited in scope in terms of varying the textures and characterisation, features that are not helped by a closely miked recording.

A nod to Neoclassicism marks out Massarani’s Sonatina, but even this is couched in the softer hues of lyrical melodiousness. However, there is more variety in his invention, and the ‘Romanza’ has some striking moments which are convincingly projected by these players.

JOANNE TALBOT