Critics' Choice: 'The sonority of the mandolins is intoxicating. This is a rare disc that I wish to return to again and again.'
Record Geijutsu
Raffaele La Ragione
Raffaele La Ragione
Mandolin
Born in Naples in 1986, Raffaele La Ragione took up the mandolin at a very early age. Since then, he has devoted himself to researching historical plectrum instruments and their original repertoire, to which he has dedicated numerous recordings.
Genre
Classical
Biography
In 2020, on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven, he released his first disc for Arcana, Beethoven and his Contemporaries, which was favorably received by the critics: “The young Raffaele La Ragione is today to the mandolin what Gustav Leonhardt was to the harpsichord.” (Le Monde) His interests have always extended to popular music, and since 2018 he has been part of the Orchestra Italiana of the famous singer- songwriter and showman Renzo Arbore, with whom he has made numerous tours and television broadcasts.
Reviews
'The four concertos featured here - by Paisiello, Lecce, Vivaldi and Hummel - demonstrate the mandolin’s spirit, musicality and virtuosity.'
BBC Music Magazine
La Clef: '... virtuosity full of brilliance and verve ... and mastery of style as well as the instruments used.'
Res Musica
'On his four-course 'Neopolitan' mandolin (c1770), La Ragione is a total joy. His playing is nimble and lyrical, quirkily suggestive but never obvious.'
Gramophone
