Described by Gian Francesco Malipiero as “the beginning of the rebirth of non-operatic Italian music”, Martucci’s Second Symphony is his masterpiece.

Drawing on his abiding love of Brahms and Schumann, and initially championed by Toscanini, this attractive work has sadly become a rarity on the concert platform.

The remaining pieces, all originally for piano and predating the symphony, highlight different facets of this fascinating composer whose personal style, while recalling those of many others from Beethoven to Bax, is nonetheless distinctive and rewarding in its own right.

Martucci’s Symphony No. 1 is available on 8570929.