Scarlatti, A: Sonata for Flute, 2 Violins and Basso Continuo No 23 in C major

In the 17th century, an astonishing stream of compositions poured out of Naples, and Neapolitan composers and performers enjoyed extraordinarily high reputations all over Europe. One of the most important occasions in Neapolitan musical life were the so-called Spassi di Posillipo, open-air festivals on the Neapolitan shore. The nobility enjoyed vocal serenades and instrumental music played from boats by the most famous performers of the time.

The programme of this CD reflects the musical traditions of these events, whereby lesser-known composers are also introduced to the 21st-century audience: the central focus is on cantatas and serenatas of Antonio Farina. His passionate love songs show the various "affects" of Southern baroque music and can surely be counted among the most beautiful songs of the time. The incredible technical skills and virtuosity of the Neapolitan school is showcased by none other than Alessandro Scarlatti, one of the greatest Neapolitan masters. In addition, the CD also presents music by Pietro Marchitelli, a colleague of Scarlatti in the Real Cappella.

This new offering consists of sonatas and concertos for recorder, violins and continuo composed by Alessandro Scarlatti in 1725, the year of his death. Scarlatti’s recorder works are at once intellectual and sensual, and are presumed to have been composed for recorder virtuoso Joachim Quantz on the occasion of his visit to Naples.

Founded by Francis Colpron in 1991, period ensemble Les Boréades de Montréal has made more than a dozen recordings for the ATMA label. The ensemble’s most recent ATMA recording — music by Henry Purcell with soprano Karina Gauvin — was nominated for a 2007 Juno Award.