Neruda: Trio Sonatas, Concerto for Bassoon

Azzolini, Sergio, Parnassi Musici

CPO 777383

The members of Parnassi musici, performing on a high musical level on historical instruments, are always good for surprises and innovative programs. On their new CD they interpret four trio sonatas and a bassoon concerto by the Bohemian violinist, conductor, and composer Johann Baptist Georg Neruda, who was born in Prague around 1707. After receiving his education in Prague, Neruda initially performed in the theater orchestra there. He earned increasing recognition as a violinist and conductor on his concert tours and became a violinist in the Dresden court ensemble in 1750 and its concertmaster in 1772. He composed eighteen symphonies, fourteen instrumental concertos, twelve trio sonatas, sacred music, and an opera entitled Les Troqueurs.
The trio sonatas offered Neruda an opportunity to present his »galant and pleasant ideas« in a form very widespread among eighteenth-century friends of music: short motifs, manifoldly transformed and repeated, together with the animated theme head at the beginning of each sonata, form the trademark features of the galant style, with this style also stamping the bassoon concert. Sergio Azzolini, who has become one of the internationally most sought masters on his instrument, performs on the baroque bassoon.

CD x 1

CPO

9/5/08

761203738328