Orquesta Ciudad de Granada

This wonderful music is not the direct soundtrack score to Federico Fellini’s La Strada, but rather Nino Rota’s concert suite from the film. There’s a difference. The sad trumpet tune, played by Il Matto (Richard Basehart) in the film, is heard here on solo violin. Gelsomina’s (Giulietta Masina) poignant theme gets a full orchestra, and brutal Zampanò (Anthony Quinn) is there, too. The suite will move anyone who loves the movie and its richly tragic characters. The disc is packaged in book form and illustrated with delightful photos and poster art. You’ll also hear tuneful dances to “Il Gattopardo” and the longest piece on the disc, the “Concerto Soirée.” More of a suite than a piano concerto, the piece is a tuneful joy, ranging in style from Sergei Prokofiev to Chico Marx. Don’t miss this CD.