Jean-Marie Leclair published twelve sonatas in his Opus 5 collection. This release presents sonatas 5 through 8 of the set. I reviewed the previous installment in this series, which included sonatas 1-3. In many ways, this release follows through with the standards set by that release. Violin Adrian Butterfield shows remarkable musicality and technique with […]
Baroque music
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Clemencic Consort excite with Fux and Biber
René Clemencic died in March of this year. He was a major figure — and influence — in the world of early music. His first ensemble, the Musica Antiqua performed with period instruments in 1958. In 1968 he founded the Clemencic Consort. René Clemencic and his ensemble released over 100 recordings over the span of […]
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Adrian Butterfield excels with Leclair Violin Sonatas
Jean-Marie Leclair was one of the most pre-eminent violinists of his day. Each collection of sonatas he published advanced the art of violin playing. The third book from 1734 challenges the player’s dexterity. The fast movements are sometimes just a blur of notes. Leclair frequently uses double stops, and not always with the most convenient […]
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Johann Heinichen Dresden Vespers hit a sweet spot
In 1720, Johann David Heinichen was rehearsing his latest opera in Dresden. The lead castrato pitched a fit. He tore up the music and hurled the pieces at Heinichen’s feet. That incident was all the excuse King Augustus the Strong needed. He dismissed his temperamental — and very expensive — singers. It effectively ended Italian […]
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Johann Mattheson “Joseph” — contemplative masterwork
Joseph Mattheson was a close friend of Georg Fredrich Handel. In part because the two shared an affinity for vocal writing. Mattheson was director of the Hamburg Cathedral. His operas were performed at the famed Oper am Gänsemarkt. Because of these connections, Mattheson had access to the best singers in the city. And that’s who […]
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Kölner Akademie’s Telemann Easter Cantatas Highly Recommended
Let’s be clear. This is a mere sampling of Georg Philipp Telemann’s output for Easter. After all, he composed Easter cantatas and oratorios for about sixty years. And often more than one for a specific date. This release focuses on works composed during the 1720s. Telemann was in his 30s, working in Frankfurt. He was the city’s […]
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Classical Interviews – Jeanette Sorrell and Apollo’s Fire
Jeanette Sorrell is the Founder and Artistic Director of Apollo’s Fire which is a baroque orchestra with a vibrant, lively sound that has won awards, including a Grammy and a large, global following. She grew up playing the piano and listening to composers like Bach and Vivaldi -but when she heard Baroque music as a […]
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Francesco Zappa: 6 Duets for Violin and Cello
Let’s be clear: we’re talking about Francesco Zappa (1717-1803), not Frank Zappa (1940-1993). Zappa was a Milanese cellist and composer. He spent most of his professional life in The Hague. There he served (at various times) as a performer, composer, teacher, and impresario. The six duets for violin and cello on this release were published […]
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Pietro Antonio Locatelli Op. 7 Concertos make the transition
This release presents the six concertos Pietro Locatelli published as his Opus VII. The year was 1741, and styles were changing. The concerto form of Vivaldi and Corelli were beginning to show their age. Style Galant was on the rise. In this collection, Locatelli transitions from his past into his present. That’s not to say […]