The Bassoon seems an equally unlikely concerto instrument, but with it's lovely, but unusual tone, it's an excellent choice. Rather than John Williams' Five Sacred Trees route of modern, autumnal colours, Rota opts for a more lively and playful approach. This is especially apparent in the dance like first movement, although the instrument's more lyrical side is hinted at in the disappointingly brief slow movement, which feels as though it ought to develop into something substantial, but simply doesn't. The longer theme and variations finale reprises the dancing style of the first movement, with a galop, sarabande, waltz and polka amongst the variations that Rota employs. A witty and charming way to end. Castel del Monte opens in more sombre tones, although Rota's sunny personality is never fully hidden. Less of a concerto and more a tone poem with a featured soloist, it does seem a shame that Rota didn't expand it beyond the original conception into a full length work as much of the material, from the gorgeous opening theme to the lilting central passages, seems ripe for further development.
Although an important orchestral instrument, the trombone doesn't generally appear beyond beefing up fanfares or performing an heraldic melody. Its only solo work seems to be in jazz and related genres, where it's lazy glissando, rather than blazing brassy sound, is exploited. Given this background, the concerto doesn't seem to be especially idiomatic and yet it still works. The tricky opening movement has an urgency generally absent in the more generally more upbeat other concertos featured, whilst the slow movement is surprisingly angst ridden - the kind of painful brass theme one could imagine in a Mahler symphony perhaps. The final movement is more frivolous and rounds the disc off in playful style. Rota's solo parts don't generally seem more technically difficult than might be encountered in a moderately complex orchestral work, the solo instrument is merely highlighted and plays more often. Still, the soloists and I Virtuosi Italiani acquit themselves admirably. An enjoyable album, nicely recorded and with a useful liner note on the music and composer.
Rating ~ 
Total Time ~ 61:52