Ottorino Respighi

All good things come in threes
Then-Bergh and Schäfer complete Respighi cycle

“How it all began...” This is one possible title for the third (and thus unfortunately final) GENUIN release by Ilona Then-Bergh and Michael Schäfer performing works of Ottorino Respighi for violin and piano. First the two play a three-movement sonata fragment composed by Respighi at the tender age of 18 and also (here, too, unfortunately!) left unfinished... After this performance, the two outstanding artists look deep into the master’s composing workshop and present three small miniatures which document Respighi’s early interest in Baroque music. And finally they treat us to three more of the truly delightful arrangements of works by his great predecessors done by the great composer. Music with which it all began for him and which accompanied him all his life. The best approach is to start over again at CD 1 at the end of the last, enchanting Locatelli minuet. And then again with Respighi 2. After that Then-Bergh and Schäfer on CD 3... Italy at its most beautiful.

"... The Duo also convinced listeners this time through a balanced, exciting interpretation and great interpretative power. How richly differentiated the playing of the two musicians is becomes even clearer because the entire expressive spectrum is represented here ..." (Klassik.com, online)