Allettamenti Da Camera For Violin Solo & Bass [CD]

Music for 'The Cardinal King': the onlycomplete available recording of anengaging chamber-collection from 18thcentury Rome, written for the head of arenegade English Catholic family in exile.Several previous Brilliant Classics albumshave given notice of the under-appreciatedgifts of Carlo Tessarini (1690-1766).Collections of his violin and flute sonatashave revealed a consistently inspired andstylish voice, reliably well-turned melodiesand shapely instrumental parts rewardingplayers and listeners alike. The samequalities illuminate this collection of fiveAllettamenti da Camera, composed inRome in 1740 and dedicated to His RoyalHighness Henry Duke of York. By that stagein his career, the Rimini-born Tessarini hadworked for courts and aristocratic patronsin Venice and Urbino. He had latelymoved south to Rome, perhaps in hope ofcurrying favour with the Stuarts, who hadlived in the city as celebrated exiles forsome years. Surely no dedicatee,whatever their musical expertise, couldfail to be delighted by music of suchaccomplishment and sunny elegance.Each of the five Allettamenti is cast in atripartite quick-slow-quick form of sonatamovements, and they are crowned by avirtuosic, two-part Capriccio which allots astarring role to the solo violin in a set ofincreasingly elaborate variations. All thesame, Tessarini departed for Naplesshortly after their composition, andcontinued on his travels across Europe, findingreceptive audiences in France, England and theNetherland, where he died early in 1767.This new recording has been made by anensemble of Italian early-music specialists whohave gathered for the purpose under thebanner of the Cappella Musicale Enrico Stuart.They are led by the violinist Gabriele Pro, who isjoined by Andrea Lattarulo (cello), MicheleCarreca (theorbo and guitar) and Simone ElOufir Pierini (harpsichord). Pierini has wonglowing opinions for previous Brilliant Classicsalbums dedicated to the music of Cherubini(96246), de Montgéroult (96247) and Tinazzoli(96865).