Fabrizio Merlini, Giuseppe Bruno & Orchestra del Conservatorio di La Spezia - Rolla: Concerti per viola e orchestra (2013)

The Tactus label is making great strides to uncover the works of many lesser-known Italian composers. Violists should be especially pleased with this offering since the three viola concertos of classical composer Alessandro Rolla will certainly be welcome additions to their relatively meager solo repertoire from that period. While Tactus's choice of composer and literature is agreeable, the choice of performers does not sit quite so well. From the orchestral tutti at the beginning of the disc, listeners are greeted by the sound of a small chamber orchestra, playing on modern instruments, trying desperately to sound light and airy. The result, however, is a very timid and unconvincing sound quality. Players within individual sections of the orchestra do not always articulate their notes together; the brass are often dull and flat. All of this could be forgiven since, after all, these are viola concertos and the solo part is what we're here to listen to. Violist Fabrizio Merlini regrettably does not live up to his instruments potential or an appealing standard of playing. Intonation is a severe problem; the many sections of broken octaves are uncomfortable to listen to. Fast passages in the upper registers come across as sloppy and uncoordinated. While it's enjoyable to hear something new in the viola repertoire, it's disappointing that it couldn't be a stronger performance.