A Musical Journey - The Museo Vela at Lignornetto,
Switzerland
Chopin: Preludes, (1838-39), Variations brillantes (1833).
Irina Zaritzkaya (piano)
NTSC. Aspect Ratio 4:3. Sound formats: DTS 5.1. Dolby Digital 5.1. PCM Stereo
2.
NAXOS DVD 2.110538 [58.35]
What do you think of when someone mentions Switzerland? Bankers? Scenic beauty?
Roger Federer? Skiing? Maybe all of those. However, I guess you will not think
of it as the most linguistically and culturally diverse western European nation.
Switzerland’s diversity derives from its history, having existed as
the world’s oldest democracy for some seven hundred years. After internal
religious conflict, the Congress of Vienna guaranteed its independence and
neutrality in 1815. A new federal state of Cantons was formed in 1848 with
Bern as the capital. The Cantons reflect the country’s cultural and
linguistic diversity. Sharing borders with France, Germany and Italy these
are the appropriate languages of the population who usually speak at least
two along with English. The diversity of the geographical locations also influences
the artistic and cultural milieu.
The contents of the DVD are concentrated in only two Chapters. These are focused
wholly on the Museo Vela at Lignornetto in the Swiss-Italian canton of Ticino.
The galleries have remarkable collections of the works of the Vela family,
the sculptors Vincenzo (1820-1891), his elder brother Lorenzo (1812-1897),
and his son Spartaco. The principal part of the collection includes the works
in gesso, a soft material, of Vincenzo’s figures later reworked in stone.
The Museo Vela houses the largest such exhibition in the world with some spectacular
carvings such as Christ’s head in a crown of thorns and a funerary monument
of an Angel and Child. Vincenzo’s works show his political affiliations
with a statue of Count Cavour, the father of Italian independence and its
first Prime Minister alongside Garibaldi and Victor Emanuelle II. There is
also his model of Napoleon as he lies near to death. There are many views
of the various galleries and the exterior of the house. The film ends with
the sun setting over the surrounding countryside. Vicenzo rebuilt the magnificent
house between 1862 and 1865. In accordance with the family’s wishes
Spartaco bequeathed it and the contents to the nation.
Chopin composed most of the music. It dates from the start of his liaison
with the French novelist George Sand. Of the Preludes Opp. 28 and 45 those
included here are the most recognisable. Attempts are made to match the music
to the tone of the sculptures and paintings. Irina Zaritzkaya plays with a
nice balance of virtuosity and feel for the different moods. The recordings
are well balanced and tonally full. The Variations brillantes accompany
the opening Chapter, the music based on a melody from an opera by Hérold
and Halévy.
Robert J Farr
A little of the diverse nature of Switzerland’s cultural background
and physical location comes through in these pictures of a unique collection
of the artistic works of the Vela family.