The Rossini Surprise
Not long ago, when browsing in a classical music CD store, I happened upon a disk put out by Naxos entitled “Rossini – String Sonatas Nos. 4, 5 and 6 performed by the Rossini Ensemble, Budapest.”
Rossini is best known for his operas, in particular his comic operas: The Barber of Seville, La Cenerentola, and his playful one-acters. Some of us might even be acquainted with his Stabat Mater and Le Petit Messe, but string sonatas?! Who could ever imagine Rossini composing string sonatas. Out of curiosity I purchased the CD which, anyhow, was on sale. And what a delightful surprise awaited me. They sparkle with naievete and even contain some of the wit which would eventually show up in his operas.
After some research, I discovered that he composed six string sonatas (of which I only have 4, 5 and 6) when he was only 12 years old while staying at a friend’s summer home near Ravenna. In later years, Rossini claimed that the sonatas were written when he was very ignorant of harmony, and he considered them “horrendous” music. I beg to differ with his learned opinion. Anyone listening to them today will hear a hint of Mozart and will find them totally satisfying. The purchase was definitely a delightful surprise.
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