Funiculus Triplex: Franz Xaver Hassl Rediscovered
The title of this release comes from a collection of trio sonatas by Franz Xaver Hassl (1708-1757). Funiculus Triplex is the only known surviving work of Hassl’s and receives its world premiere recording here.
Fleshing out the program are three sacred arias by Johann Ludwig Steiner (1688-1761). Also included are canzonettas by Johann Friedrich Agricola (1722-1744) — not to be confused with the Flemish Renaissance composer Alexander Agricola.
The release is a nice collection of Style Galant music. Style Galant gained popularity with the generation following J.S. Bach. It favored simple, song-like melodies over complex polyphonic textures.
Agricola’s Canzonettas are excellent examples of the genre. These miniatures charm with their tuneful melodies. Soprano Ulrike Hofbauer sings with delicacy and an unaffected delivery that’s immediately appealing.
Steiner’s sacred arias may be more serious in their subject matter, but they invite the listener in with their straight-forward harmonies and four-square phrases. Hofbauer seems to be singing with a smile. This is the music of joyful worship and praise.
The centerpieces of the album are Hassl’s trio sonatas. It’s a shame not more of his music survived. (The Funiculus Triplex is his Opus 2, so I’m assuming there was an Opus 1 at least.) If I had to describe these works, I’d say they resemble Handel’s trio sonatas — if Handel had lightened up a little.
The Galant style is all about lightness — and Hassl delivers. These are featherweight trios, with the transverse flute and violin trading melodies with delightful abandon. And yet they’re also tightly constructed. Hassl’s building blocks may be simple, but he uses them in some imaginative ways. These works retained my interest from beginning to end.
L’Arcadia deftly performs this material to perfection. The playing is airy without being frivolous. The ensemble demonstrates the appeal of STyle Galant after the heaviness of the late Baroque.
Funiculus Triplex: Rediscovered “Style Galant” for Chamber and Church
Franz Xaver Hassl, Johann Friedrich Agricola, Johann Ludwig Steiner
L’Arcadia; Ulrike Hofbauer, soprano
Guild GMCD 7806
