Balbi / Toschi / Mazzoli - Divertimento Italiano [CD]

An unmissable album for lovers of chamber music, "Divertimento Italiano" represents a lively and different dimension of the great theatrical, cultural and musical substratum of the Italian nineteenth-century: the private completion of what happened in the great theaters. The organic instrumental feel represented by a vintage piano and a harmonium delivers a variety of rare expressive possibilities and also brings to light those 'minor' composers who represent the most intimate alter ego of the great 19th century melodramatic productions. The performance is given by two fine specialists: Andrea Toschi at the harmonium and Carlo Mazzoli at the historical piano. Andrea Toschi was born in Bologna, where he attended the Conservatory "G.B. Martini" and earned his Diploma in Organ in 1982, having participated in many master classes with famous organists. The same year, he also graduated from the University of Bologna with a degree in Agrarian Sciences. Since 1983 he has been teaching Organ in Italian Conservatories; currently he is teaching at the "Giuseppe Nicolini" in Piacenza. He taught master classes in Italy and abroad, mainly with trumpet/organ duo modern repertoires. Carlo Mazzoli first studied mechanical engineering before devoting himself to music. He has been awarded in various national and international piano competitions, and performs concerts in esteemed musical institutions in Italy and abroad as a soloist, in chamber ensembles, and in piano duos. Dedicated to the study of the historical piano, he founded the "Fortepiano Ensemble di Bologna." He is principal piano chair at the GB Martini Conservatory of Bologna.