Album artwork for Concerto per Margherita by Riccardo Cocciante

Album artwork courtesy of the label

On the turntable

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Italianissimo

Concerto per Margherita

Riccardo Cocciante · 1976

Riccardo Cocciante's 1976 magnum opus, a poignant exploration of love and life delivered with operatic flair and symphonic sweep.

Why it matters

Released on the RCA Italiana label, "Concerto per Margherita" saw Riccardo Cocciante cement his status as a leading figure in Italian popular music. Following his earlier successes with "Bella senz'anima" and "Margherita," this album broadened his sonic palette, incorporating elaborate orchestral arrangements that lent a theatrical, almost cinematic quality to his compositions. It eschewed the more straightforward singer-songwriter approach of his contemporaries, opting instead for a grandiose, meticulously crafted sound that showcased his powerful, expressive vocal delivery. The record quickly became a critical and commercial triumph, resonating deeply with audiences for its sophisticated musicality and emotionally charged narratives.

The album's enduring appeal lies in its blend of classical influences with contemporary pop sensibilities, a characteristic sound that became synonymous with Italian *cantautore* tradition at its most refined. Cocciante, often noted for his dramatic interpretations, here presented a work of remarkable cohesion, where each track contributes to a larger thematic tapestry centered around profound human emotion. It is an exemplary artefact of 1970s Italian musical excellence, offering a listening experience that is both intellectually stimulating and profoundly moving, a testament to the artist's singular vision and prodigious talent.

The Continental setting

Late afternoon in a Roman apartment overlooking the Piazza Navona, an aged Negroni at hand.

Start here

  1. 01A mano a mano
  2. 02Margherita
  3. 03Quando finisce un amore
No. 55 of the Continental 100

A pivotal work from a master of Italian song, fusing operatic grandeur with profound lyricism.

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