Bach, J S: Keyboard Concerto No. 3 in D major, BWV1054 (harpsichord or piano)

Francesco Cera was born in Bologna, Italy, and studied organ and harpsichord under Luigi Ferdinando Tagliavini and later with Gustav Leonhardt. He is now one of Italy’s leading early music specialists, and is greatly admired as a performer for his extensive knowledge of styles and different musical expressions. He was member of the ensemble Il Giardino Armonico and since 1997 has been director of the Ensemble Arte Musica, with whom he performs Italian vocal music covering the period from Gesualdo’s madrigals to 18th century cantatas. Francesco Cera is particularly well-known for his performances of 17th century harpsichord and organ music. His recordings of the complete works of Michelangelo Rossi, Tarquinio Merula, Bernardo Storace and Antonio Valente were highly acclaimed by the most important music magazines. His audacious interpretations of the Domenico Scarlatti Sonatas bring out their innovative rhetorical and dramatic character, as well as their brilliance. Cera has recorded three CDs of these Sonatas from the manuscript dated 1742, and took part in the performance of the complete Scarlatti Sonatas at the Flanders Festival in Gent.

The ensemble I Barocchisti takes on the artistic legacy of the Società cameristica di Lugano (Switzerland), committing itself since the 50s to the performance of forgotten baroque works. The Swiss violinist and mandolin player Duilio Galfetti is their leader. I Barocchisti perform in variable numbers ranging from 5 to 40 members from Switzerland and Italy, all with comprehensive concert experience as soloists and in chamber music. Diego Fasolis studied at the Conservatory of Zurich receiving his diplomas for organ, piano, voice and composition with honours. He continued his studies with such renowned soloists as Gaston Litaize and Michael Radulescu, and he has earned prizes at the competitions of Stresa, Zurich and Geneva. Since 1993 he has been the conductor of the Coro della Radio Svizzera Lugano and since 1988 of I Barocchisti.

J.S. Bach wrote seven concertos for solo harpsichord, strings and continuo (BWV 1052-1058). All are thought to be arrangements made from earlier concertos for other instruments probably written in Cöthen. In many cases, only the harpsichord version has survived.