Luigi Legnani was one of the great guitar virtuosos of the 19th century, a friend of Paganini and noted as a performer throughout Europe. Legnani’s substantial legacy of works for his instrument has remained largely neglected, but here we can experience the ‘delicacy and marvellous mastery’ of the Terremoto con variazioni (‘Earthquake with variations’), the expansive melodies of the Gran Ricercario o Studio, and the quasi-orchestral textures and brilliant pyrotechnics of the Gran Capriccio. This world premiere recording provides an essential rediscovery of Legnani’s works for guitar, and confirms his status as one of the finest guitar composers of his generation.
Legnani, Luigi
Terremoto con Variazioni, Op. 1
1 Largo cantabile 01:38
2 Tema 00:37
3 Variation 1 00:39
4 Variation 2 00:34
5 Variation 3 00:39
6 Variation 4 00:37
7 Variation 5 00:42
8 Larghetto 02:27
9 Variation 6 01:50
Gran Ricercario o Studio, Op. 3
10 Gran Ricercario o Studio, Op. 3 08:38
Tema con variazioni sul terzetto Pria che l'impegno (Weigl), Op. 4
11 Tema 00:42
12 Variation 1 00:42
13 Variation 2 00:40
14 Variation 3 00:55
15 Variation 4 00:41
16 Variation 5 00:41
17 Variation 6 00:47
18 Trio andantino 00:48
19 Variation 7 00:48
Gran Capriccio, Op. 6
20 I. Largo 01:55
21 II. Allegro deciso 04:41
22 III. Più mosso 02:02
Scherzo ossia quattro variazioni, Op. 10
23 Tema 00:33
24 Variation 1 00:32
25 Variation 2 00:33
26 Variation 3 00:32
27 Variation 4 00:32
28 Coda 00:38
Rondeau pour la guitarre, Op. 11
29 Largo - 01:22
30 Rondò: Allegretto 03:59
Gran Variazioni sopra un motivo tirolese, Op. 12
31 Largo 00:49
32 Tema - Allegretto 00:28
33 Variation 1 00:26
34 Variation 2 00:27
35 Variation 3 00:25
36 Variation 4 00:27
37 Variation 5 00:27
38 Variation 6 00:30
39 Variation 7 00:29
40 Variation 8 00:54
41 Variation 9 00:34
42 Variation 10 00:32
43 Variation 11 00:32
44 Larghetto espressivo 01:52
45 Variation 12 01:30
Gran Variazioni sul duetto Nel cor più non mi sento nell'opera La molinara (Paisiello), Op. 16
46 Allegro 02:23
47 Tema con variazioni: Andantino grazioso 00:59
48 Variation 1 00:48
49 Variation 2 01:06
50 Variation 3 01:04
51 Variation 4 00:49
52 Variation 5 01:06
53 Variation 6 00:52
54 Variation 7 00:52
55 Variation 8 00:52
56 Variation 9 00:58
57 Largo cantabile 04:46
58 Variation 10 01:57
59 Coda: Allegro 01:41
