Ensemble Cordia - Porta Magna [CD]

Born in the north-Italian city of Bologna, Domenico Gabrielli (1659-1690) and his pupil Giuseppe Maria Jacchini (1667-1727) became inventor-pioneers of cello music that liberated the instrument from it's role as an accompaniment to higher voices (belonging to singers and instrumentalists). It was with the sonatas on this album that the cello first sang with it's own true voice. Gabrielli and Jacchini celebrated the nimble and athletic character of the instrument, in music that leaps and dances as much as it sings. Several previous albums on Brilliant Classics have demonstrated the stylish feeling and polished technique of Ensemble Cordia in Baroque and early-Classical-era chamber music. Their album of chamber music by Platti received rave reviews: 'Platti here receives authoritative interpretations by some of the greatest players in the business. If you want to get acquainted with Platti's music - and there is every reason to - this album is the best possible way to start.' The ensemble's recording of string trios by Anton Wranitzky was similarly welcomed by MusicWeb International: 'A well-judged recording, allied to stylistically apt performances.' The discography of this north-Italian chamber group also includes Telemann, a collection of 'Passionate Baroque Arias' and more Platti, an album of cello concertos with the ensemble's director Stefano Veggetti as soloist: 'These are all really interesting and worthwhile works... enhanced by the excellent playing of soloist Veggetti, who handles both the lyrical parts with a singing tone and the sometimes fiendish virtuosity of the bookended movements with ease and grace..' (Fanfare).