THE LAST SONATAS Domenico Scarlatti
Fabio Bonizzoni
GCD P31507
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Performing artists
Fabio Bonizzoni, harpsichord
Production details
Playing time: 74’33 Recorded in Utrecht (Maria Minor), Holland, in June 2003 Engineered by Adriaan Verstijnen Produced by Tini Mathot Executive producer: Carlos Céster Editorial assistant: María Díaz Cover design & illustrations: oficina tresminutos 00:03:00 Booklet essays: Fabio Bonizzoni and Stefano Russomanno Booklet in English-Français-Español-Deutsch
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Commercial release sheet (PDF)
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DOMENICO SCARLATTI (1685-1757)
Keyboard sonatas
1 Sonata in si b maggiore K 550 2 Sonata is si b maggiore K 551 3 Sonata in sol minore K 546 4 Sonata in sol maggiore K 547 5 Sonata in mi b maggiore K 507 6 Sonata in mi b maggiore K 508 7 Sonata in fa maggiore K 540 8 Sonata in fa maggiore K 541 9 Sonata in re minore K 552 10 Sonata in re minore K 553 11 Sonata in fa maggiore K 542 12 Sonata in fa maggiore K 543 13 Sonata in si b maggiore K 545 14 Sonata in si b maggiore K 54615 Sonata in si minore K 87
About this CD
Generally, the CDs dedicated to Domenico Scarlatti’s harpsichord sonatas are made to include the widest possible sampling of different aspects of the composer’s work, from the youthful pieces, full of vitality, to the mature compositions which give priority to melodic qualities, by way of the works which feature daredevil virtuosity. This is not the case here. After years of preparing his incursion into the world of Scarlatti, the exquisite Fabio Bonizzoni concentrates on the late works of the composer, in the belief that it is there that the real masterpieces are to be found. Extremely beautiful, profound, deeply felt and introspective music on a disc which clearly standsout in every respect.
We have decided to include this recording in the new Glossa Platinum collection because of the aesthetic affinities between Scarlatti’s production and our contemporary world, some of which are mentioned in the excellent essay written by Stefano Russomanno for the liner notes. Moreover, this CD sees the light in the context of a new phase of Bonizzoni’s work for Glossa, following years of bringing to the fore unjustly forgotten music from the Italian Baroque repertory. This year will not only witness the release of this marvellous jewel of Scarlatti’s, but will also mark the beginning of an ambitious exploration of the world of Bach, in a solo setting as well as with La Risonanza.
Fabio Bonizzoni’s attention on record to the music of Handel - which has, thus far, yielded seven discs devoted to the early Italian-texted cantatas - has just now had the good fortune to receive this year’s Stanley Sadie Handel Recording Prize for Apollo e Dafne, the final release in the present series for Glossa. This is the third time that Bonizzoni and his period-instrument ensemble La Risonanza have won this prestigious prize for their series of “Le Cantate Italiane di Handel” (previous winners were the first release, Le Cantate per il Cardinal Pamphili and the fifth, Clori, Tirsi e Fileno); three other recordings have also featured as runners-up. [read more...]
Fabio Bonizzoni’s series, with La Risonanza, of Handel Italian cantate con stromenti for Glossa has now come to a conclusion with seven volumes recorded, but not before the group were awarded the 2010 Stanley Sadie Handel Recording Prize for the fifth instalment, Clori, Tirsi e Fileno (with sopranos Yetzabel Arias Fernández and Roberta Invernizzi and contralto Romina Basso in the three named roles). In commending the disc the jury of the Recording Prize made the following comments, “La Risonanza produces a delightful performance that presents all of the strengths and virtues we have come to associate with their recent explorations of Handel’s music. [read more...]
In the third instalment in Fabio Bonizzoni’s survey of the secular cantatas with instrumental accompaniment composed by Georg Frideric Handel during his stay in Italy, come a quartet of works associated with the Venice-born maecenas Pietro Ottoboni – including the substantial Ero e Leandro, the libretto for which is plausibly considered to have been written by the Cardinal Ottoboni himself. As well as the seldom-performed cantata for bass, Spande ancora a mio dispetto and Ah! Crudel, nel pianto mio scored for soprano solo, Bonizzoni also directs the Spanish-texted No se emendará jamás.[read more...]