Erica Piccotti, Stravinsky, Prokofiev & Franck: Works for Cello & Piano Review

Cellist Erica Piccotti is an Italian musician that is the winner of numerous first place prizes in national and international competitions, including: Rassegna Nazionale d’Archi Vittorio Veneto, National Prize of Arts, which nominated her the best cellist in Italian conservatories, Città di Padova Award, Jugend Musiziert of Nuremberg and NYIAA Competition, whose victory allowed her to perform at the Carnegie Hall in New York, the International Cello Competition Antonio Janigro for young cellists, Premio Crescendo and A. Provenzani” reserved for the best cellist of the competition. Piccotti graduated summa cum laude at age fourteen from the Santa Cecilia Conservatory. Her debut recording, Stravinsky, Prokofiev & Franck: Works for Cello & Piano, demonstrates the elegance and dexterity the nineteen-year-old transfers into the twelve selections. Accompanied by pianist Itamar Golan, they have a chemistry that breathes and moves as the two entwine their parts with passion and musicality. Piccotti’s tone is excellent and her emotional and stylistic command brings out the motoric rhythms of Prokofiev and Stravinsky, while clearly conveying the beauty of the melodic passages. That’s the short of it!