Giovanni Battista Bassani: Sinfonie op.5 Nr.1-12 auf 2 CDs

Giovanni Battista Bassani (geboren 1650 in Padua) war einer der führenden Vertreter der Bologneser Schule. Seine Werke waren zu seinen Lebzeiten recht bekannt und Komponisten wie Händel und Bach kannten und schätzten ihn sehr. Die Sinfonie Op. 5 zeigt eine Vielzahl von Stilen, von den feierlichen Toccaten bis zu spielerischen Tänzen und ist für verschiedene Streichinstrumenten und Basso continuo geschrieben. Ensemble StilModerno haftet an der „Historisch fundierten Aufführungspraxis“ und spielt dieses originelle und stilvoll geschriebene Werk mit Leidenschaft und Virtuosität.

Diese Neuaufnahme ist eine aufregende Chance, Bassanis bisher übersehene Musik zu entdecken, eingespielt von den Barock-Spezialisten, dem Ensemble StilModerno.

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Giovanni Battista Bassani, born c. 1650 in Padua, Italy, was one of the representative composers of Bolognese music; during his lifetime he stood alongside the likes of Torelli and Corelli, but the popularity of his music declined rapidly after his death. This new recording of his Sinfonie Op. 5 is an opportunity for listeners to become acquainted with his music, which thoroughly deserves to be rediscovered.

Not only was Bassani one of the most celebrated musicians of his era, held in high esteem by Bach and Handel, his Sinfonie Op. 5 proved extremely popular with audiences and performers: four reprints were made and a number of handwritten copies spread throughout the world. Somewhat confusingly, the work is actually a set of 12 sonatas for strings and basso continuo, possibly written with church use in mind. Stylistically, these sonatas demonstrate Bassani's versatility and ability to draw together different styles and techniques; movements range from solemn toccatas to quick dances, and, in many cases, music of great contrast is created through building upon the same musical materials.

Displaying Bassani's skill as a composer, violinist and organist, the sonatas that make up the Sinfonie Op. 5 are some of the most accomplished and forward-looking works of the late 17th century, foreshadowing sonata form in their structures. This new recording is an exciting chance to discover Bassani's previously overlooked music, played by Baroque-performance specialists Ensemble Stil Moderno.