Classical Music

Classical Music

Before the history of the string quartet entered its "classical" phase with Luigi Boccherini in Paris and Joseph Haydn in Vienna, it went through a long process of development marked by exciting experiments and compositional freedom. Italian composers in particular have distinguished themselves in this process and so the programme of Musica Fiorita presents special works by Italian composers from a period of about 100 years. Beginning with two works by Giovanni Maria Bononcini (the father of the famous Giovanni Battista), the development from a continuo accompanied to a continuo free quartet is shown. Alessandro Scarlatti is represented with four quartets from his late work, in which the opera composer turns to polyphonic part writing in an unusually complex and harmonically expressive way. Two compositions by the Italian Maddalena Laura Lombardini Sirmen, which represent the early classical phase of the string quartet, conclude the programme.

Classical Music

Classical Music

The anchor of this new release from Boguslaw Furtok and the Frankfurt Radio Symphony is the Divertimento Concertante for double bass and orchestra by Nino Rota. Boguslaw Furtok says of the work, “I immediately recognized that it was one of the best ever compositions for double bass. The work provides a complete image of both technical and also creative possibilities which can be displayed by a double bass virtuoso, not to mention the wonderful melodies which would perhaps not be at all anticipated on this instrument!” Hands-down one of the greatest double-bassists of the current generation, Boguslaw Furtok has been successful as a soloist, orchestra member, and chamber musician, and has been a prizewinner at several international competitions including the International Double Bass Competition in Germany.

In his setting of Orlando (drawn from Tasso's Orlando furioso), Handel offers a score of a remarkable dramatic power, diversity and originality. Everything in the opera arouses admiration: the extremely varied scoring, the exuberant vocal writing, the rhythmic invention, the subtle melodies. With a fantastic vocal setup and his always excellent ensemble, Jean-Claude Malgoire has produced a recording that will permanently stay among the very best readings of the score. In words of The Daily Telegraph, "the playing of La Grande ecurie is excellent... Christophe Dumaux gives a fruity account of the tremendous mad scene". French Countertenor Christophe Dumaux made his spectacular professional debut at 22 singing Eustazio in Handel's Rinaldo at the Festival de Radio France, co-produced by the Innsbruck Festival and the Berlin Staatsoper, and released by Harmonia Mundi. He has since been regularly invited by the most prestigious opera houses and festivals including the Metropolitan Opera, the Paris Opera, the Salzburg Festival, Glyndebourne, the Proms, and the Berlin Staatsoper.

More than 500,000 clicks on their YouTube video of Folia-variations by Marais and Corelli, and a wide array of enthusiastic comments ("spectacular", "great", "splendid", "amazing"): violist Jakob Rattinger and violinist Lina Tur Bonet meet the demands of many music lovers who are keen of fireworks, virtuosity and positive energy. Competition has always been a part of musical life. Be it by the bards, the troubadours, or the legendary mastersingers, they all performed with and against each other to emerge as laurel-crowned winners. Through this fictive competition between their two instruments, the performers illustrate in practice many of the aspects of the evolution of their respective instruments, with the absolutely breath-taking Folia-variations putting the icing on the cake of this very special proposal.

La Passione di Gesù Cristo is the title of a libretto by Metastasio which was repeatedly set as an azione sacra or oratorio by many composers of the late Baroque, Rococo and early classical periods. The libretto was written by the imperial poet in Rome on the instruction of Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor. The four central roles are San Pietro, San Giovanni, Maria Maddalena, Giuseppe d'Arimatea - with John, Mary Magdalene and Joseph or Arimathea answering Peter's questions about the crucifixion. Jommelli is without a doubt one of the finest composers between the transition between the Baroque and the Classicism. His version of "Passione" is already written in the classical style - the continuo accompaniment harmonizes the all-important central melodic line, and the upper strings and winds double it, harmonize it, embellish it, or illustrate it, but seldom enter into contrapunctal competition. Jommelli was famous for his eloquent orchestrally accompanied recitatives. His writing in sacred music is very operatic.

Castrato Domenico Annibali enjoyed a 25-year long career, performing across Italy, England, Germany and Poland for composers such as Handel, Giacomelli, and many more. On this recording, countertenor Flavio Ferr-Benedetti performs works originally written for or sung by the great castrato. Il Basilico accompanies the singer, performing with outstanding historical accuracy.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Swiss bassoon maker Walter Bassetto, in cooperation with bassoonist Lyndon Watts, has, for the first time ever, reconstructed a bassoon based on the models built by the 19th century’s "Stradivari of the Bassoon", Jean Nicolas Savary (jeune). The reconstruction of a Savary 1823 bassoon is heard on this CD. This instrument is especially convincing by virtue of its effortless response and its nasally pithy yet lyrical sound. Mr. Watts is professor of (modern) bassoon at the Academy of the Arts in Berne.

• Leila Schayegh and Jörg Halubek, two first-class interpreters, have embarked upon a voyage of discovery through C. P. E. Bach's works for violin and keyboard. The Swiss baroque violinist Ms. Schayegh is distinguished by her blossoming, singing tone and technique. Jörg Halubek is her highly sensitive accompanist and musical partner. As a special rarity, they have recorded two sonatas in the continuo realisation by Johannes Brahms.

Classical Music