CONCERTO GROSSO LIVE

A piece of hystory of Italian Prog in this CD recorded live in 2001 .

It is not only a nostalgic operation . In fact , the Concerto Grosso N.1 & 2 were never played live before.

After the last split of New Trolls , Vittorio De Scalzi has put together this new band (La Storia dei NT - The History of NT) together with a few excellent young musician and with veteran Alfio Vitanza (ex Latte e Miele).

The conductor of the orchestra (and occasionally keyboard player) is Maurizio Salvi - former keyboard player of New Trolls (Searching for a Land , UT) and Ibis in the 70's.

The music is very well recorded and the brilliant style of virtuoso Tiranti fills very well the parts previously of the great Nico Di Palo.

Two good inedit close the record , and rumours are circulating here in Italy about a new "Prog" CD by Vittorio , all made old inedits. Let hope and wait.

Rating : 4 stars

Web Site of the band : www.newtrolls.it

This album is a rare case when re-make is even better than originals (IMHO, of course). It is recorded better, sung and played better, it contains probably all necessary tracks from both original albums and it has the inspiration of live performance (please don't worry, you won't hear audience's clapping, coughing etc).

The year 2001 was the 30-th anniversary of "Concerto Grosso №1" and signore De Scalzi with friends find the best way to celebrate this event. Maurizio Salvi, ex New Trolls keyboardist (he also directed the orchestra and played keyboards), and Vittorio De Scalzi, New Trolls founder member, made orchestrations and arrangements for this record.

Both Concerti Grossi, as well as tracks 5, 10, 11, played with Orchestra Filarmonica di Torino. And I can say songs "In St. Peter's Day" and "Una miniera" suit to the mood of Concerti perfectly.

Last two tracks, "Preludio/ Signore, Io Sono Irish" (originally from NT debut album) and "Wings" (new song, written by De Scalzi to the lyrics of great William Shakespeare) were recorded in studio with Ensemble Camillo Sivori (3 violins, viola, cello), but sound in perfect harmony with live material.

Excellent performance. This album really deserves better recognition. Highly recommended, no matter have you heard original "Concerto Grosso №1" and "Concerto Grosso №2" albums or not.

4 stars (only because it is a re-make, otherwise it would be all 5 stars).