May I use the word “revelatory?” It most accurately describes my reaction to this release of Anton Brucker’s piano music. Bruckner’s reputation (rightly) rests on his symphonies. But those were far in the future of the young student who wrote these piano pieces. All of the works recorded were composed as student pieces and composition […]
Brilliant Classics
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Ensemble Il Demetrio deliver thoughtful performances of Tartini
The liner notes lay out the problems with these Giuseppe Tartini works. In the late 1760s, the term a Quattro (in 4 parts) was somewhat vague. Did Tartini intend his Sonate a Quattro to be played with only four string instruments, as a proto-string quartet? And what about the role of the harpsichord, tacitly a […]
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Stefano Molardi branches out with Bach Family Organ Works
Consider this release a companion volume to Stefano Molardi’s previous Bach recording. That 2-disc set featured the complete works of Johann Michael Bach and Johann Christoph Bach (Johann Sebastian’s first cousin, once removed). There was enough material by J.M. Bach and J.C. Bach to fill two CDs. Not so in the case of the family members […]
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Jan Ladislav Dussek Sonatas, Vol. 7 – simple vs. complex
Volume Seven of Brilliant Classics’ on-going series has a nice balance. Jan Ladislav Dussek’s massive sonata “Retour à Paris” is offset by the featherweight the Op. 47 “Sonata facile.” Sonata faciles were just that — easy sonatas. Designed for the amateur, these works were simple in structure, and simple to perform. Mozart and Beethoven both wrote sonata […]
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Ensemble Imaginaire performs Durante with light touch
This double-disc release features eight string concertos by Francesco Durante, plus one that’s never been recorded before. Durante was a major figure in the early 18th Century. His music helped define the Neopolitan Galante Style. It was clean, clear, and relatively free of ornamentation. For the most part, the concertos on this release follow the […]
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Jan Ladislav Dussek – Complete Piano Concertos, Vol. 6 features transcriptions
This release features the Opus 9 Piano Sonatas of Jan Ladislav Dussek. Originally, they were written for a melodic instrument + piano, a common practice of the late 1700s. The melodic instrument could either be a violin or flute — performer’s choice. Innovations in pianoforte construction allow for longer sustained notes. Dussek could transcribe these […]
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Organ works by Johann Michael Bach & Johann Christoph Bach – A family resemblance
Johann Sebastian Bach wasn’t the only musical Bach (perhaps just the greatest one). The Bach family was a virtual dynasty of musical talent that spanned generations. This release focuses on two brothers: Johann Michael and Johann Christoph Bach. Johann Christoph (1642-1703) helped teach the young Johann Sebastian (his first cousin, once removed). Johann Michal’s daughter, […]
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Delightful Lonati Sinfonias performed by Ensemble Gardino di Delizie
Carlo Ambrogio Lonati was considered one of the greatest violinists of the late 1600s. Little of his music survives, including just 10 sinfonias. These works provide some insight into the level of Lonati’s skill, both as a composer and a performer. Lonati’s sinfonias a 3 require considerable skill to perform. The music often demands double […]
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Alessandro Rolla Viola Concertos Not Fully Served
Alessandro Rolla, a contemporary of Mozart, was perhaps the greatest violist of his age. And he was a pretty good violinist, too. After all — he taught Paganini. As was the practice of the time, Rolla the composer wrote concertos for Rolla the virtuoso to take on tour. This release includes two of those viola […]