Geminiani: Sonatas for Violoncello & Basso Continuo, Op. 5 Nos. 1-6

Francesco Geminiani studied in Rome with Corelli and A. Scarlatti and in 1711 became leader of the opera orchestra in Naples. Settling in London in 1714, he earned instant success as a violin virtuoso and became one of the most influential teachers, of violin and composition. Geminiani's principal works are the solo sonatas and concerti grossi. His model was Corelli, but he composed for a wider range of solo instruments using a more sonorous and chromatic idiom although still contrapuntal. The expressive force of this music males it the most important collection of cello sonatas of its time. Gaetano Nasilio studied viola da gamba at the Scola Cantorum Basiliensis,where his teacher was Paolo Pandolfo.He makes regular solo appearances in Europe and in North and South America with such wellknown European ensembles as the Ensemble 415, René Jacobs’ Concerto Vocale, Jordi Savall’s Le Concert des Nations.

For this recording of Francesco Geminiani’s Sonatas op. 5 and the imaginative Baroque setting they create, Concerto strived to ensure that the musicians’ stylistically extraordinary interpretation got the acoustic quality it deserved without resorting to an excessive use of technological tricks. The result can be heard in the natural austerity of the sound thanks to the splendid dance hall at the Castello di S. Lorenzo de Picenardi (Cremona, Italy), a very special recording setting.

The recording glistens with improvisation - guided by Enrico Bronzi’s cello, which transforms the written melody into the life breath of the composer, while the figured bass of the harpsichord Michele Barchi recreates and rebuilds the images and emotions of that period with exquisite polish.

When thinking of important cello repertoire from the Baroque period of course J.S. Bach’s suites spring to mind immediately. But there is so much more out there to be discovered from this period. And not just from Germany. Italian composer and violinist Geminiani wrote just six sonatas for cello but they deserve far more attention then they are getting today. In fact Francesco Geminiani’s only set of six sonatas for cello and basso continuo is one of the finest from the Baroque era. This composer was London-based for quite a while. He then began to visit France (among other countries). When writing his cello sonatas he also drew on the French viola da gamba tradition. He combined this with his own style which was based on Corelli. But Geminiani also inserted a lot of embellishments and contrapuntal passages. These sonatas are highly attractive and expressive pieces. Especially both ones two in minor keys touch on the emotions of the listener. The sonatas are quite demanding for the performers.

Unusual is Geminiani’s frequently allowing the main cello and the accompanying parts to cross. Dutch cellist Jaap ter Linden hardly needs any introduction. He is one of the leading musicians having been involved in historically informed performances from the very start. Ter Linden has recorded several solo CDs for Brilliant Classics including Bach’s suites and sonatas by Vivaldi. His performances of these works by Geminiani are intense and lively.