Piccolo Concertino
Boris Papandopulo: Piccolo Concertino was written in 1977. Officially titled Little Concerto for Piccolo and Chamber String Ensemble, is a refined neo-classical work by the Croatian composer known for its virtuosic interplay and pastoral character.
The Concertino consists of three movements:
1. Predigra (Foreplay): Characterized by a "sunny, idyllic" atmosphere mimicking chirping birds and nature.
2. Romanca (Romance): A completely original, expressive movement.
3. Igra (Game/Dance): An upbeat, virtuosic highlight of the work that utilizes themes from a previous 1970 composition, "Marulova pisan".
Salvatore Percacciolo (conductor), Mannheim National Theatre Orchestra, 2023, Naxos
1. Predigra
Salvatore Percacciolo (conductor), Mannheim National Theatre Orchestra, 2023, Naxos
2. Romanca
Salvatore Percacciolo (conductor), Mannheim National Theatre Orchestra, 2023, Naxos
3. Igra
Papandopulo Boris
Boris Papandopulo (1906–1991) was a highly prolific Croatian composer and conductor whose work is defined by an eclectic synthesis of Croatian folk melodies and mid-20th-century modernism, including neo-classicism and occasional twelve-tone techniques.
Born in Bad Honnef, Germany, to a Greek nobleman and a famous Croatian opera singer, Maja Strozzi-Pečić, he spent most of his life in Croatia.
He was a composer, conductor, pianist, and journalist. He held major conducting and directorial posts at operas in Zagreb, Rijeka, Sarajevo, and Split.
Papandopulo's "stylistic pluralism" blended infectious rhythmic brio with lyrical panache, often making direct contact with listeners through its spontaneity and vitality.
His massive catalog includes approximately 460 works, spanning operas, ballets, film scores, and solo concertos for diverse instruments like the xylophone and double bass.