Jonathan Ferrucci with a CD launch in the refined space of Raffaello Morales’s Fidelio café.Two Italians bringing culture and elegance to a city where quantity is fast taking over from quality.
Raffaello, a trained musician, who has had the courage and vision to open a space where his love and passion for music are even expressed in the wallpaper that adorn the bathrooms, made of the scores of Beethoven and Schumann- the Hammerklavier no less!
A green room that I would gladly move into tomorrow, such is it’s haremesque warmth and restrained opulence.
Raffaello Morales not content with just this space opposite the Italian church in the centre of London, has created his own orchestra that plays in the beautiful church of St Luke’s in Holborn and regularly invites superb solists to join in the ‘fun’
One such artist is the distinguished Canadian pianist Angela Hewitt, who also resides in Italy, and wanted to add a third ‘B’ to her worldwide fame with the other two! Her Brahms First Concerto with Raffaello at the helm was indeed a special occasion for all concerned.
Angela Hewitt plays Bach and Brahms with the Fidelio Orchestra of Raffaello Morales Angela Hewitt plays Bach and Brahms with the Fidelio Orchestra of Raffaello Morales
https://christopheraxworthymusiccommentary.com/2024/03/10/angela-hewitt-plays-bach-and-brahms-with-the-fidelio-orchestra-of-raffaello-morales/
Angela is also the mentor of Jonathan and their deep love of Bach and the refined beauty and nobility of the Italian renaissance has cemented a friendship of mutual respect for their art. I have heard many of Jonathan’s concerts since he moved to London to perfect his studies at the Guildhall with Joan Havill, and his passion and refined good taste have always astonished me.
A love for music that was ignited by Giovanni Carmassi whose book ‘A pianist prepares’ is the bible for all aspiring pianists and musicians, only on a par only with ‘The Art of Piano Playing’ by Heinrich Neuhaus. Luckily Jonathan’s psychologist father realised the value,in human terms, of such an inspirational influence on young musicians, that he and his Australian wife have translated it into English. In in my opinion it should be obligatory reading for all serious artists.
It opens with a quote from Celibadache :
“Art is beautiful….Nevertheless I soon distanced myself from this idea.
Without seeking the beautiful, no one could create a work of art. But beauty is not the goal: it is only the bait.
What is truth? You cannot define it rationally, but you can experience it personally’
The final words in the CD booklet that accompanies the Toccatas Jonathan exclaims: ‘Ashtanga Yoga is an integral part of my work as a musician and with music, essential in life.’ Only a Florentine could express that, where the beauty of the bodily movements and the beauty that surrounds Tuscany and indeed the whole of Italy, are reflected in the beauty of movement that can recreate such masterworks at the keyboard. Like a painter or sculptor creating things of beauty that will be a joy forever.
Beauty that recreates beauty!
Rostropovich simply exclaimed that Italy is the ‘museum of the world’.
It is enough to admire the cover of this CD to know of the mine of gold that must be hidden within.
I have heard Jonathan many times over the past years and have expressed my feelings in the few poor words that could describe such beauty.
Jonathan Ferrucci plays Bach in Florence A room with a view with a whole world in his hands.
https://christopheraxworthymusiccommentary.com/2023/09/27/jonathan-ferrucci-plays-bach-in-florence/
It is worth listening to such masterworks to discover things where words are just not enough.
And an encore, this time a Poulenc of refined elegance and style.
Jonathan Ferrucci KCT American Tour – Goldberg – A voyage of discovery
https://christopheraxworthymusiccommentary.com/2022/10/22/jonathan-ferrucci-kct-american-tour-goldberg-a-voyage-of-discovery/
ChristopherAxworthy-MusicCommentary 