Angelo Babini Gives Impressive Recital

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31753, 9 August 1968, Page 12

Angelo Babini Gives Impressive Recital

Last evening, under the auspices of the Dante Alighieri Society and the University School of Music, a recital was given in the University Hall by Angelo Babini, principal professor of pianoforte at Marcello Conservatorium, Venice, since 1963.

Respighi did valuable work in editing old Italian music. Examples of airs and dances thus preserved by him were the first items played, each in its appropriate mood, the pianist showing command of a wide range of tonal colours and dynamics.

Two of Domenico Scarlatti’s many Sonatas followed: those in E major and C minor. The composer was a harpsichord virtuoso, and these works had, in addition to their fresh musical spirit, the special quality of its technical expression in terms of the period. Schumann’s Symphonic Studies, Opus 13, were played with musical understanding of their spirit and changing moods. Here again Mr Babini showed full command of technique and the ability to produce pleasing tone at all dynamic levels employed. The performance had rhythmic vitality, was always clear in detail, and was indeed a memorable exposition of a fine work. After the Interval there was a return to Italian composition in 11 Children’s Pieces by Casella, a pupil of Faure. These were most attractive, employing an interesting harmonic idiom, thoroughly pianistic in expresion, ranging widely as to ideas and mood changes, deserving to be well known. Mr Babini emphasised all their pleasing qualities in his poetic interpretation. Last came Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition,” written originally for pianoforte (the orchestral version being scored by other hands). Here was another opportunity for Mr Babini to prove his versatility; and indeed his was a most interesting

performance: one to encourage those who prefer Mussorgsky’s pianoforte score to an orchestral version. The pianist secured richly contrasted changes as the music passed from “picture” to “picture”; clearly he has the essential musical qualities of mind without which the fine technical equipment would have little to express. Altogether an experience for which the performer and those who sponsored the recital are thanked warmly. V.G.