Galuppi: Trio Sonatas

Born in 1706 and known as ‘Il Buranello’ after the place of his birth, Baldassare Galuppi was one of the most sought-after composers of his day. Writing music that appealed to contemporary taste, the Venetian was especially admired by northern visitors: his trio sonatas, which form the subject of this release, come from the Gimo collection compiled by Jean Lefebure.

Galuppi was a prolific keyboard as well as opera composer, and this compilation therefore offers a new perspective on his output. Like his works for harpsichord, the sonatas for 2 violins and basso continuo tend to adopt a slow-fast-slow format – with each movement’s subtly altered bipartite structure reflecting the the Italian’s early-Classical idiom. The fact that the works were conceived as a unified set is obvious from the balance of sharp against flat keys (all of which are major), and, whereas proto-‘sonata form’ aspects tend to dominate the opening movements, the finales often make use of triple metre to create a lighter feel.

From Sonata No.5’s use of pulsating, ‘lombardic’ rhythms to the affecting recitative which lies at No.6’s centre, these works are full of character and include many poignant moments. Inspiringly performed by the Accademia Vivaldiana di Venezia, they are a worthy complement to Newton Classics’ recent release of Galuppi’s experimental keyboard sonatas.