DVD · 1 disc
CD · 3 discs
CD · 12 discs
CD · 2 discs
Naxos, the world's leading classical music group, supports the Alzheimer's Association with the release of the Purple Classics series. Each release in this new series of 10 recordings features approximately 2 hours of classical music on 2 CDs. For every CD sold through June 23, 2017, Naxos will donate $.50 to the Alzheimer's Association, with a minimum donation of $25,000,to advance their efforts in Alzheimer's care, support and research.
CD · 1 disc
With its roots in ancient Greece and Rome, the oboe has evolved from the rustic medieval shawm and the French Baroque hautbois to become the modern instrument we know today. Italian composers provided the first works befitting of its expressive nature, and ever since, great writers such as J.S. Bach, Handel and Mozart have been inspired by the instrument’s unique, emotive qualities, using it as a medium for some of their most beautiful and delicate melodies. With an equal ability to shine in a chamber setting or to rise above an orchestra, and its distinctive timbre, expressive character and versatility, the oboe continues to be an inspirational and joyful instrument.
Johann Sebastian Bach hardly ever left his native Saxony; yet he was always up to date on what was going on elsewhere in Europe. Naturally; he paid close attention to innovations from Italy; the cradle of the concertante style; and instilled transalpine sparkle in his brilliant counterpoint; especially in his keyboard works. Proof of this may be found in the pieces based on originals by the Venetians Antonio Vivaldi and Benedetto Marcello; in which Bach transcends everything with his polyphonic genius. In the large-scale Italian Concerto; the future composer of the Goldberg Variations revisits Corelli and; once again; Vivaldi. After several solo recordings devoted to musical dynasties (La Famille Forqueray; La Famille Rameau and Les Frères Francoeur); Justin Taylor sets off on a voyage of exploration of Bach and Italy.
Francesco Corti and il pomo d’oro continue their acclaimed series of Bach harpsichord concertos with a recording of the concertos BWV 1044, 1054, 1056 and 1057. This completes the cycle of seven “official” harpsichord concertos that Bach composed. Many of them are masterful reworkings of existing material, either own compositions or works by contemporaries, showing Bach’s exceptional skill to present musical ideas in a different light. For their second Bach recording, Corti and il pomo d’oro have chosen to work with a relatively small ensemble, in order to bring out the individuality of each melodic line. Corti shares the centre stage with recorder players Andres Locatelli and Alessandro Nasello in BWV 1057, while joining forces with violinist Evgenii Sviridov and traverso player Marcello Gatti in the concluding “triple” concerto BWV 1044. Francesco Corti belongs to the most established harpsichordists of his generation, and releases his second PENTATONE Bach harpsichord concertos album, after his debut on the label in 2020. He works together with the multi-award-winning ensemble il pomo d’oro, who also recorded two vocal recital albums with PENTATONE: Carnevale 1729 with Ann Hallenberg (2017), as well as Prologue with Francesca Aspromonte (2018).
The music on this disc has been researched and compiled in order to suggest the musical experience of the celebration of Christmas Mass at St Mark's, Venice in 1766. Filippo Maria Brressan and his forces have combined Galuppi's Gloria and Credo, both premiere recordings, with other vocal and instrumental pieces which may have been performed on such an occasion, creating a unique programme of interest to early music lovers and academics alike. Recorded in: Duomo Vecchio, Monselice, Italy 12-18 September 2002 Producer(s) Massimo Dal Santo Sound Engineer(s) Marco Lincetto
A slightly older contemporary of Vivaldi, Alessandro Marcello is a less well-known composer of the early eighteenth century, whose home town was Venice and whose younger brother was the more prolific Benedetto. These well-crafted concerti, the most famous works among his output, are sadly infrequently performed. The six 'La Cetra' concertos are unusual for their wind solo parts, instrumental contrasts and combinations, and use of counterpoint within a broadly, Vivaldian style. They provide a cross-section of Marcello's instrumental style of composition and can be seen as a last outpost of the classic Venetian baroque concerto. This was a popular CD on its original release, and is sure to be welcomed as a re-issue at Classics price.
CD · 26 discs
