The Overture to Gioachino Rossini’s opera L'Italiana in Algeri’(The Italian Girl in Algiers’) has captured and thrilled the hearts of the Ashgabat public with the sounds of crystal-clear waves of a boundless ocean.
It was performed by musicians of the State Symphony Orchestra of Turkmenistan under Rasul Klychev.The enchanting music opened the concert at the Magtymguly Music and Drama Theater, marking the 40th anniversary of the Italian composer Nino Rota’s death.
The evening of music was co-organized by the Embassy of Italy in Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan.This invites the question, “Why did the concert devoted to Nino Rota open with the work by Rossini?” The truth is the Overture to the opera L'Italiana in Algeri’ was one of Nino Rota’s special favorites.
Guido Alberto Fano’s Andante e Allegro con Fuoco’ was also much loved by the composer, who wrote the soundtrack for the film The Godfather’.Nino Rota took his inspiration from it...
The audience applauded loudly as the guest from Italy, Roberto Prosseda, took the stage and sat at the piano.The renowned pianist performed Fano’s passion-filled music with the Turkmen orchestra.
The event featured two works by Nino Rota: the Concerto Soirée’ (The Evening Concerto’), consisting of 5 parts, and his iconic score for The Godfather’.Many of those attending the concert heard the former for the first time, while the latter has been the greatest hit for decades.
A few words about the guest.Roberto Prosseda is one of the leading interpreters of music.His interpretations of Mendelssohn, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, and Chopin have won great acclaim from professionals.
Recordings by the pianist released in albums enjoy worldwide popularity.In 2011, Prosseda made his debut on the pedal piano.Several composers have written new pieces for pedal piano for him since then.
The virtuoso pianist has written the book "Il Pianoforte" and made three documentaries dedicated to Mendelssohn, Chopin and Liszt.Rejep Rejepov and Aman Agajikov’s Concerto for percussion and orchestra, magnificently performed by the State Symphony Orchestra of Turkmenistan, brought the evening of music to a close.
Roberto Prosseda and Rasul Klychev appeared on the stage to enthusiastic applause from the audience.They thanked each other with a handshake that became a symbolic finale to the Turkmen-Italian cultural event.
Roberto Prosseda said in an interview that he was absolutely delighted to visit the Turkmen capital, to collaborate with the young talented musicians, and to perform to the receptive and appreciative audience.
It is really precious to learn that the works by my countryman, Nino Rota, are well known and deeply admired in your country, the Italian pianist said. - I am impressed by the Turkmen composers’ music with its distinctive expressiveness, rich variety of timbres and soulful sounds.’