- Guido Santórsola (1904-1994) was an Italian-Uruguayan composer. Born in Italy, his family settled in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1909. After receiving initial musical instruction from his father, Enrico, he soon entered the Conservatório Dramático e Musical de São Paulo studying violin and counterpoint, harmony and composition. He went to Europe to study violin with Gaetano Fusella in Naples and Alfred Mistowski at Trinity College, London. Returning to Brazil in 1925, he founded the Brazilian Musical Institute, and was violist of the Paulista Quartet and the Rio de Janeiro Theatro Municipal Orchestra. In 1931 he settled in Montevideo, Uruguay.
- Santórsola is mainly known for his captivating compositions for violin and piano. His works, rooted in a rich musical tradition, exhibit a seamless blend of classical finesse and the emotional intensity of the Romantic era, featuring expressive melodies, coupled with intricate harmonies that enhance the emotional depth of the pieces.
- Drawing inspiration from various sources, including Italian folk music and Latin American rhythms, Santórsola's style is characterized by its unique blend of traditional elements and modern sensibilities. His use of rhythmic patterns and colorful harmonic progressions adds a contemporary touch to his classical foundation, making his music appealing to audiences of diverse tastes.
- Played by the Gran Duo Italiano, Mauro Tortorelli (violin) and Angela Meluso (piano), whose previous recordings for Brilliant Classics (Saint-Saëns, Milhaud, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Scalero) were highly praised in the international press. ‘Tortorelli is equally impressive on viola and on violin… On both instruments he spins a flawless, silky line with perfect intonation.’ (Fanfare, May 2017 – Milhaud). ‘This release is not just for violinists and lovers of violin music; it’s for everyone. Urgently recommended.’ (Fanfare, July 2021 – Scalero), ‘Sympathetic performance… employing many idiomatic (at least to the period) expressive devices.’ (Fanfare, May 2015 – Saint-Saëns).
Other information:
- Recorded December 2022 in Polla, Italy
- Bilingual booklet in English and Italian contains liner notes by Julio César Huertas and a profile of the artists
