Rossini: Sonata a quattro No. 6 in D major

The three pieces on this new CD were written by composers in their youth. Whilst Rossini, Mendelssohn and Korngold became leading composers in later life, they were considered in their time to be child prodigies. The music, which includes Mendelssohn’s Sinfonia for Strings opus 10, Rossini’s Sonata a Quattro No. 6, and Korngold’s String Sextet, is performed by the highly-talented young Dutch group EnsembleCaméléon.

EnsembleCaméléon was founded in 2002 by a group of string players from the prominent Dutch symphony orchestras. Their concerts have been critically acclaimed by press and public for the high individual level of the musicianship, ensemble performance, musical conviction, and boundless enthusiasm. In 2006 EnsembleCaméléon toured the major cities in South America. The following year the group played at the Schleswig-Holstein Festival, and in 2008 it performed in Ireland. In 2007 EnsembleCaméléon made its debut in the concert series of the Small Hall of the Concertgebouw, where it now returns on a regular basis.

The Sonata No. 6 is the last of a group of works for strings written by Gioachino Rossini in 1804 when he was only twelve years old. Felix Mendelssohn was about fourteen when he composed his twelve string symphonies. These pieces which were written between 1821 an 1823 were not intended for public performance and were not published until long after his death. Erich Korngold was 17 or 18 when he composed the String Sextet in D Major in 1914.

Rossini’s Six String Sonatas, scored for two violins, cello and double bass, date from 1804, and were all composed in three days – the composer was just 12 years old! They display an astounding precociousness, and a sound grasp of the music of Haydn and Mozart. Each player is given his own voice, and each work poses considerable difficulties for the players – especially the second violin part, which Rossini wrote for himself. There is a surprising amount of emotional depth to be found in these works that belie the age of the composer – the Second Sonata is a good example, where Mozart’s influence is at its most potent.

Twelve student instrumentalists from the Accademia di S. Cecilia formed I Musici in 1952. Praise came early from Arturo Toscanini: ‘Twelve capable lads of 18, a perfect chamber orchestra. I applaud them!’ I Musici soon became one of the leading European chamber ensembles, specialising in the music of the Italian Baroque, but later embracing Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, and contemporary music.

Recording made in 1971