Francesco Mancini’s collection of XII Solos for a Violin or Flute were first published in London around 1724. They proved so popular that the music went through at least three editions. As the title suggests, Mancini’s music was composed for either violin or flute. “Flute” was a somewhat generic term, and could apply to either […]
Baroque music
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Cavatina Duo refreshes the repertoire
It’s a real challenge to take something very familiar and make it sound new. And not just novelty new, but new that retains the substance of the original. I think the Cavatina Duo successfully met that challenge, not once but twice with this new recording. They present an arrangement of Marin Marais’ “Follies d’Espagne.” The […]
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Harry Christophers and The Sixteen new Purcell release most welcome
Bottom line. If you enjoyed Volumes One and Two, you’ll find Volume Three of equal quality. Also, if you’ve enjoyed any of the Sixteen’s previous Purcell releases on Coro, you’ll definitely want to add this one to your library. If the previous paragraph doesn’t apply to you, read on. Harry Christophers and The Sixteen have […]
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Classical Interviews – Fiona Hughes
Photo by Leslie KippFiona Hughes is the Artistic Director and violinist for Three Notch’d Road. Fiona spoke with us about the styles of music Three Notch’d Road performs, what it means to play instruments from the period of the piece, and the last concert she played before the pandemic. For more on Fiona Hughes, visit […]
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Italico Splendore serves Vitali well in new recording
Giovanni Battista Vitali is finally getting his due — thanks to this series from Tactus. The Italico Splendore Ensemble has been steadily making its way through Vitali’s published compositions. This release — the sixth — features the Soante a due violini, Op. 9, published in 1684. These are sonatas da chiesa (church sonatas). At the […]
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Homilius and Agricola cantatas move beyond Bach
The Easter cantatas in this recording come from two contemporaries of Johann Sebastian Bach. And both take different approaches to the subject. Gottfried August Homilius was thirty years younger than Bach. Gottfried August Homilius was thirty years younger than Bach. Contemporary accounts describe him as one of the best sacred music composers of his day. […]
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Johann Theile – St. Matthew Passion anticipates Bach
Johann Theile was best known as an opera composer. But he did study with Heinrich Schutz and wrote a significant amount of sacred choral works. His St. Matthew Passion dates from 1673 – predating Bach’s by about fifty years. The work features two solo voices; the Evangelist and Jesus. Although it uses Matthew’s narrative of […]
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Christoph Graupner Passion cantata series comes to a glorious close
This release completes CPO’s traversal of Christoph Graupner 1741 Passion cantatas. For the 18th Century Lutheran church, Passion cantatas were performed throughout the Sundays in Lent, not just during Holy Week. The concluding installment is the Cantata for Laetare Sunday (the fourth Sunday in Lent). The libretti focus on the wickedness of those who judged […]
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The serene Sonetti Spirituali of Pietro Vinci
Pietro Vinci published his Quattordeci Sonetti Spirituali in 1580. These works are prime examples of the Italian Mannerist School. The text is by Vittoria Colonna, one of the most popular poets of the day. The poems of the Sonetti Spirituali are religious, but Vinci gives them secular settings. His florid polyphony compellingly illuminates the text. Every note (and concordance […]