Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Complete Italian Solo Guitar Music

Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (1895-1968) was one of the most successful and remarkable composers of the first half of the 20th century in Italy. His style is influenced by Neo-Classicism, vivid, brilliant, with the occasional odd dissonance, strongly rhythmical and full of catchy melodies. He fled anti-semitism before WWO2, and settled in Hollywood where he successfully composed film music for more than 200 films.

Castelnuovo-Tedesco met the world famous guitarist Andrés Segovia at the 1932 Venice International Festival. Their friendship was an inspiration for the composer to write for the guitar, in which process he received assistance from Segovia in technical matters. From then on guitar music represents one of the most substantial parts of his entire output. In a letter to Carlo Carfagna in 1964, he wrote: 'My art tends progressively to simplify itself, the guitar has become one of my favourite means of expression because it has led me towards the essential'.

This new recording presents the complete works for solo guitar which were written in Italy, before the composer’s exile to the USA in 1939, music of great melodic invention and true Italian atmosphere.

Played with love and dedication by Antonio Rugolo, who successfully recorded works by Gilardino and Lloyer for Brilliant Classics.