The dazzling and spectacular sonority of the “trumpet and organ” duo was etched into contemporary history by the splendid recordings made starting in the 1960s for the label “Erato” by Maurice André and Marie-Claire Alain. Since then, a plethora of performers on both instruments have explored – with varied outcomes – works composed for their ensemble, transcribed and adapted music written for other instruments, and encouraged composers to expand the repertoire.

The duo Santi-Arlotti, already established by their concert fame, stands out for their meticulous research and the originality of their musical proposals, which have been appreciated since their first cd, released in 2017 for Tactus (tc 850003). This album was entirely dedicated to variations on famous opera themes (Verdi, Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, Dall’Argine) composed by Arban, Forestier, Zanichelli, Cacciamani, Rossari, and Spiga. Their repertoire is the fruit of passionate research, as evidenced by the beautiful Concerto by Bortolotti, drawn from a precious Bolognese manuscript and skillfully adapted for the organ by Marco Arlotti, presented in this recording.