The mandolin reached prominence as a solo instrument in the 17th century when it began to appear in operas and oratorios, and in chamber and...

The mandolin reached prominence as a solo instrument in the 17th century when it began to appear in operas and oratorios, and in chamber and solo repertoire. Amongst the most prominent composers for the instrument were Niccolò Ceccherini and Pietro Cappellini, masters of polyphony. But it was Filippo Sauli’s Sei partite, composed for the four-course mandolin, that constitute a body of work unique in early 18th-century mandolin repertoire – a kaleidoscopic digest of different styles and influences that combine French and Italian traditions in music of exquisite taste and expressive beauty.

REVIEW:

The Six Partitas by Filippo Sauli, who flourished in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, are clearly the centerpiece of the program presented here. Most have short opening movements, usually preludes, some as short as 19 seconds! One can hear the standard suite movements in various orders, and the partitas often end with minuets. Notable is the short Prelude to the 4th partita, with crystalline arpeggiated chords that shimmer brightly.

Ferella’s playing is deft and musical, with clear articulation and a stylistic sense of each dance, not to mention excellent intonation and tone, and is recorded well with a realistic mandolin sound and reverberation.

All in all, this is very enjoyable.

— American Record Guide (Jim McCutcheon)