Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco began to focus on chamber music composition during the late 1920s. From this period comes the String Quartet no.1 in G major, which offers a countryside panorama with rustic serenades and processional themes reminiscent of a village festival. Returning to a much-changed Italy after the Second World War inevitably generated mixed feelings in the composer – the String Quartet no.2 in F minor reflects these through dissonance and restlessness, though dancing rhythms sound notes of optimism. His final quartet, no.3 in F major ‘Casa al Dono’, is an effortless fantasia, animated and in part ecclesiastical, which was inspired by memories of his homeland and the friendships he had enjoyed.

Naxos has two albums of Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s music for two guitars on 8570778: ‘This is great playing. This is wonderful music played at the highest interpretive level’, wrote American Record Guide.

‘Thoroughly enjoyable and recommendable’ – MusicWeb International on 8570779