Rossini: Italian, French and Spanish Quartets, Duets & Songs, Selected Works for Piano Solo

Rossini Péches de Viellesse - Sins of Old Age - date from the last twenty years of his life when he lived in Paris as the most celebrated composer of the 19th century. These solo songs, ensembles and piano works were mostly written for his famous Samedi Soirs, the weekly gatherings in his salon on Saturday nights. where the whole of the Parisian beau monde rubbed elbows with the greatest musical talents of the time. They also show that he had not lost any of his musical skills and at times absolutely unique musical humour in spite of his age. A selection of the best pieces from the Péches de Viellesse and from his Soirees Musicales can be heard on these two CDs with an ensemble of young but highly talented singers, accompanied by Julian Reynolds on an original Erard piano, the same instrument that Rossini himself owned and played; this is also the instrument for which he meant his wonderful solo piano works, a number of which is also included in this program.

A two CD set that takes the listener back to the musical atmosphere of those wonderful 1860s in Paris.