Stradella: Complete String Sinfonias

Stradella: Complete String Sinfonias
Composer Alessandro Stradella
Artist Ensemble Arte Musica
Francesco Cera conductor
Marco Piantoni violin
Nunzia Sorrentino violin
Rebeca Ferri cello
Format 1 CD
Cat. number 95142
EAN code 5028421951423
Release December 2015

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About this release

Theatrical chamber music might appear to be a contradiction in terms, but the unlikely idea is fulfilled by these sparkling, highly
wrought trio sonatas. For despite their title, that is what they are: most composers of the 18th century may have used the sonata
designation for this form, but Alessandro Stradella employed at least several of these works as preludes or overtures to his
dramatic and sacred works such as the oratorio Susanna (already recorded on Brilliant Classics, BC94345).
Stradella’s music, which is at last receiving something of the interest it deserves, contains passages of pure genius even in
the relatively small but excellent instrumental repertoire. The sinfonia in F major numbered sixth here is a case in
point, opening with a furiously agitated allegro and following with a striking union of lamenting slow and energetic quick
sections. A contemplative slow movement then precedes a substantial, Handelian fugue: it is as if Stradella were working
through a range of generic archetypes available to him, within the course of one 10‐minute sonata. The A minor Sinfonia is
rather more unified, no less witty than the F major work and again containing a thoroughly worked fugue, but now capped
with a finale full of surprising dissonance. The sinfonias have been recorded here by an Italian early-music ensemble led from
the keyboard by Francesco Cera, whose expertise in the field of composers in this era is attested to by a wide-ranging
discography on Brilliant Classics which includes albums of music by d’Anglebert (BC94793), Trabaci (BC94897), Scarlatti
(BC94488) and J.S. Bach (BC94639). Of his Orgelbüchlein recording, MusicWeb International commented that ‘Francesco
Cera plays with that innate rhythm that establishes that irresistible, compelling pulse in Bach… I wouldn’t just want to have one recording of these works … but if I had to reduce to one, it would be Cera.’ The same site noted of ‘Scarlatti and Neapolitan Song’ that it is ‘a most intriguing disc. Anyone
interested in Scarlatti should consider it… Cera delivers fine interpretations of the various sonatas on a beautiful instrument.’

This new CD presents the complete String Sinfonias by Alessandro Stradella, a First Recording!
The music by Alessandro Stradella (1639‐1682) is gaining rapidly in recognition and popularity. The composer’s extremely adventurous life (he was an aristocratic lady-killer, who himself was murdered in the end by a revengeful rival) and his equally adventurous music presents a forceful image of a fascinating and important figure of the Italian Baroque.
Stradella’s String Sinfonias are dramatic works, frequently used by the composer as an overture for his operas and cantatas. The sudden and extreme mood shifts and the expression of deep human emotions show a composer of dramatic genius.
Francesco Cera is one of Italy’s foremost Early Music musicians. As a cembalist and conductor he built an impressive discography, for Brilliant Classics he recorded works by Trabaci, d’Anglebert, Scarlatti and Bach.

Listening

Track list

Disk 1

  1. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 1 in C Major: I. Grave-Allegro
  2. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 1 in C Major: II. Allegro
  3. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 1 in C Major: III. Largo
  4. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 1 in C Major: IV. Presto
  5. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 8 in A Minor: I. Allegro
  6. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 8 in A Minor: II. Andante
  7. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 8 in A Minor: III. Allegro
  8. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 8 in A Minor: IV. Allegro
  9. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 2 in D Major: I. Adagio-Allegro
  10. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 2 in D Major: II. Vivace
  11. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 2 in D Major: III. Grave-Presto
  12. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 2 in D Major: IV. Presto
  13. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 5 in F Major: I. Allegro
  14. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 5 in F Major: II. Adagio
  15. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 5 in F Major: III. Largo-Allegro
  16. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 5 in F Major: IV. Presto
  17. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 1 in D Minor
  18. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 3 in D Major: I. Allegro
  19. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 3 in D Major: II. Allegro
  20. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 3 in D Major: III. Adagio
  21. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 3 in D Major: IV. Allegro
  22. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 3 in D Major: V. Presto
  23. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 7 in G Major: I. Largo
  24. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 7 in G Major: II. Vivace
  25. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 7 in G Major: III. Allegro
  26. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 7 in G Major: IV. Allegro
  27. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 9 in A Minor: I. Largo-Allegro
  28. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 9 in A Minor: II. Presto-Adagio
  29. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 9 in A Minor: III. Allegro
  30. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 9 in A Minor: IV. Presto
  31. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 2 in B-Flat Major
  32. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 4 in D Major: I. Grave-Allegro
  33. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 4 in D Major: II. Allegro
  34. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 4 in D Major: III. Largo
  35. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 4 in D Major: IV. Presto
  36. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 6 in F Major: I. Grave-Allegro
  37. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 6 in F Major: II. Largo
  38. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 6 in F Major: III. Allegro
  39. Alessandro Stradella: Sinfonia No. 6 in F Major: IV. Presto