Giardini: 6 Sonatas for Flute & Harpsichord

ConSerto Musico

95625

Felice Giardini (1716-1796) was born in Turin. He began to study music as a child, soon becoming a chorister at the Cathedral in Milan while specializing in harpsichord and composition. On his return to Turin, he pursued his studies of the violin under Giovanni Battista Somis, and in 1736 found employment as a violinist in the orchestras in Naples and Rome.

In 1748 he set out on a concert tour, performing as a soloist in Europe’s foremost music centers. In spring 1750 he reached London, where his playing immediately attracted widespread attention in court and aristocratic circles and he performed in numerous important concerts, while acting as music master to eminent figures such as the Dukes of Gloucester and Cumberland, and indeed the Prince of Wales.

By 1752 he was leading the orchestra of the Italian Opera at the King’s Theatre. He established himself as one of the most important musical figures of his time, both as a performer and as a impresario. In 1793, at the age of 77, he made his way to Russia, first to St. Petersburg and then to Moscow, where he died on 8 June 1796.

• Giardini was a significant representative of the Piedmontese violin school of the period. Today he is largely remembered for his many instrumental works and for his contribution to the evolution of the quartet.

The title page of the Op.3 Sonatas suggests that they were originally intended for just two instruments (harpsichord and violin or flute), whereas in fact they are trio sonatas, with numbered sections devoted to the basso continuo. In the present recording the musicians double the left hand of the harpsichord with the cello or bassoon. This makes for greater variety of timbre, and increases the expressive impact of subtle changes of mood. The music is by turns charming and joyous and introspective and melancholy, characteristic of the Empfindsame Stil of the time.

Excellent performances on period instruments by Mario Folena (flute), Francesco Galligioni (cello) and Roberto Loreggian (harpsichord).

Works:

• Giardini: Minuetto Con Variazioni in C major
• Giardini: Violin Sonata in A major, Op. 3, No. 4
• Giardini: Violin Sonata in C major, Op. 3, No. 2
• Giardini: Violin Sonata in D major, Op. 3, No. 6
• Giardini: Violin Sonata in F major, Op. 3, No. 3
• Giardini: Violin Sonata in G major, Op. 3, No. 1
• Giardini: Violin Sonata in G minor, Op. 3, No. 5

CD x 1

Brilliant Classics

02/07/2021

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