Scarlatti A&D - Concerti & Sinfonie - Biondi, Europa Galante

Scarlatti A&D - Concerti & Sinfonie - Biondi, Europa Galante
Baroque | Eac, flac, cue | log, cover | 1 CD, 332 MB
May 7, 2002 | Virgin | RapidShare

(Diapason d'or of 2002)

This recording presents music by two Scarlattis: Alessandro (1660-1725), composer of innumerable vocal and chamber works, and his son Domenico (1685-1757), famous mostly for his several hundred keyboard sonatas. Alessandro is represented by six Concerti Grossi, a Sonata, and a Sinfonia; Domenico by three Sinfonias. All feature solo instruments: harp, recorder, and most prominently, violins and continuo cello. Alessandro fostered his son's talent, but the two eventually, perhaps inevitably, became rivals, and Domenico left his native Rome for Portugal and then Spain. Most of Alessandro's music recorded here is somber, solemn, and mournful, full of dissonances and sighing suspensions; four of the six concerti are in minor, but the two in major are bright and sprightly. One of the highlights is the slow, pastoral Finale of No. 6. They vary greatly in form, character, and texture; there is much masterful counterpoint, pungent rhythmic inventiveness, and a chromaticism that seems ahead of its time.

Europa Galante, an excellent Italian period-instrument group, is distinguished by its successful blending of meticulous technical and ensemble execution with musical spontaneity. Notable among the soloists are cellist Maurizio Naddeo and recorder player Petr Zeifart. Violinist Fabio Biondi, the group's director, is outstanding for his virtuosity, beautiful tone, and daring, inventive ornamentation. He deserves our gratitude for rescuing these unfamiliar works from undeserved neglect. --Edith Eisler


# lori, Dorino e Amore, serenata for 3 voices, chorus & instruments Sinfonia: 1. Largo
Composed by Alessandro Scarlatti
with Europa Galante
Conducted by Fabio Biondi

# Clori, Dorino e Amore, serenata for 3 voices, chorus & instruments Sinfonia: 2. Presto
Composed by Alessandro Scarlatti
with Europa Galante
Conducted by Fabio Biondi

# Clori, Dorino e Amore, serenata for 3 voices, chorus & instruments Sinfonia: 3. Minuet
Composed by Alessandro Scarlatti
with Europa Galante
Conducted by Fabio Biondi

# Clori, Dorino e Amore, serenata for 3 voices, chorus & instruments Sinfonia: 4. Grave
Composed by Alessandro Scarlatti
with Europa Galante
Conducted by Fabio Biondi

# Sinfonia No.7 for strings and continuo in C major
Composed by Domenico Scarlatti
with Margret Koll, Europa Galante
Conducted by Fabio Biondi

# Concerti grossi (6) ("VI Concertos in Seven Parts") Concerto grosso No. 1 in F minor
Composed by Alessandro Scarlatti
with Europa Galante
Conducted by Fabio Biondi

# Concerti grossi (6) ("VI Concertos in Seven Parts") Concerto grosso No. 2 in C minor
Composed by Alessandro Scarlatti
with Europa Galante
Conducted by Fabio Biondi

# Concerti grossi (6) ("VI Concertos in Seven Parts") Concerto grosso No. 3 in F major
Composed by Alessandro Scarlatti
with Europa Galante
Conducted by Fabio Biondi

# Concerti grossi (6) ("VI Concertos in Seven Parts") Concerto Grosso No. 4 in G minor
Composed by Alessandro Scarlatti
with Europa Galante
Conducted by Fabio Biondi

# Concerti grossi (6) ("VI Concertos in Seven Parts") Concerto Grosso No. 5 in D minor
Composed by Alessandro Scarlatti
with Europa Galante
Conducted by Fabio Biondi

# Concerti grossi (6) ("VI Concertos in Seven Parts") Concerto Grosso No. 6 in E major
Composed by Alessandro Scarlatti
with Europa Galante
Conducted by Fabio Biondi

# Sinfonia No.3 for strings and continuo in G major
Composed by Domenico Scarlatti
with Raffaello Negri, Maurizio Naddeo, Europa Galante
Conducted by Fabio Biondi

# Sinfonia No.5 for 2 violins and continuo in A minor
Composed by Domenico Scarlatti
with Maurizio Naddeo, Europa Galante
Conducted by Fabio Biondi

# Sonata for flute, 2 violins, cello & continuo No. 2 in A minor
Composed by Alessandro Scarlatti
with Petr Zejfart, Maurizio Naddeo, Europa Galante
Conducted by Fabio Biondi