Notes and Editorial Reviews
Formed in 1978, London Baroque enjoys the position of being one of the most experienced and long-lived baroque chamber groups. Combining 8 albums originally released between 2003 and 2013, the present set of trio sonatas can be seen as the fruit of all those years of research, experiment and discovery. The trio sonata was the primary vehicle for chamber music in the seventeenth and at least half of the eighteenth centuries. Its history mirrors other developments throughout the whole of the baroque era. This set is chiefly concerned with those for two violins and continuo, with occasional digressions into those for violin, bass viol and continuo, and one with viola replacing the second violin. Like the string quartet in later ages, most
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composers (with some notable and regrettable exceptions) tried their hand in the form. The customary addition of a figured bass part played on a harpsichord or organ around 1600 meant that middle parts of the old contrapuntal style could be excluded and chamber music soon began to favor the trio sonata texture. 150 years later, with the string quartet, the process was reversed as the viola took over the middle ground previously occupied by the keyboard.
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Excerpts from reviews of previously released volumes included in this set:
The Trio Sonata In 18th-century Germany
London Baroque is one of the older ensembles in the world of historical performance practice. It is still going strong, and it is remarkable how it has kept its high standard over so many years. That also applies to the Bis trio sonatas series: eight discs, intelligently put together and forming a lively documentation of an important part of music history. The playing is again of the highest quality.
– MusicWeb International
The Trio Sonata In 18th-century Italy
London Baroque’s program-opening performance of Albinoni’s Balletto in G features a fresh, unsentimental treatment of the composer’s characteristically slow first-movement Preludio Largo, followed by sprite deliveries of the second and third movements and a dashing Vivaldi-esque concluding Gavotta Presto. Their performance of Giuseppe Sammartini’s Sonata V is equally inspired. Locatelli’s Sonata in D major also receives a captivating, distinguished performance featuring plenty of thrilling fiddling, especially in the Allegro molto finale. London Baroque performs Vivaldi’s famous Op. 1 No. 12 trio sonata “La Folia” with the leaner continuo of just a cello and harpsichord backing the two violins originally specified by the composer. How refreshing!
– ClassicsToday
Trio Sonata In 18th Century France
Listening to these virtuoso performers swing through much of Couperin’s glorious music is often dazzling. It’s been more than a decade since London Baroque began its European trio sonata recording odyssey for BIS, with by and large great success. And here is another wonderful installment, warmly recommended.
– ClassicsToday Read less
Works on This Recording
2.
Ground in G major by John Blow
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Baroque
Period: Baroque
Written: 17th Century; England
3.
Fantasia-suite by John Coprario
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Baroque
Period: Baroque
Written: England
4.
Sonata in G major, Op. 1 no 8 by John Ravenscroft
Performer:
Richard Gwilt (Violin),
Steven Devine (Harpsichord),
Charles Medlam (Cello),
Ingrid Seifert (Violin)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Baroque
Period: Baroque
11.
Trio Sonatas (6): no 6 in G Major by (Earl of Kelly) Erskine
Performer:
Charles Medlam (Cello),
Ingrid Seifert (Violin),
Steven Devine (Harpsichord),
Richard Gwilt (Violin)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Baroque
Period: Classical
Written: by 1769; London, England
16.
Les nations: L'impériale by François Couperin
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Baroque
Period: Baroque
Written: by 1726; Paris, France
17.
Suite in A major by Johann Vierdanck
Performer:
Ingrid Seifert (Violin),
Charles Medlam (Bass Viola da gamba),
Richard Gwilt (Violin),
Terence Charlston (Harpsichord),
Terence Charlston (Chamber Organ)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Baroque
Period: Baroque
18.
Sinfonia dolorosa by Nicolaus à Kempis
Performer:
Ingrid Seifert (Violin),
Charles Medlam (Bass Viola da gamba),
Richard Gwilt (Violin),
Terence Charlston (Chamber Organ),
Terence Charlston (Harpsichord)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Baroque
Period: Renaissance
Written: Brussels, Belgium
19.
Sonata a 3 "Lanterly" by Johann Heinrich Schmelzer
Performer:
Ingrid Seifert (Violin),
Charles Medlam (Bass Viola da gamba),
Richard Gwilt (Violin),
Terence Charlston (Chamber Organ),
Terence Charlston (Harpsichord)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Baroque
Period: Baroque
Written: 17th Century; Austria
21.
Sonate (12) à 2-5 stromenti: no 2 in E minor by Johann Rosenmüller
Performer:
Ingrid Seifert (Violin),
Charles Medlam (Bass Viola da gamba),
Richard Gwilt (Violin),
Terence Charlston (Harpsichord),
Terence Charlston (Chamber Organ)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Baroque
Period: Baroque
Written: by 1682
22.
Sonata à 3 in G major by Matthias Weckmann
Performer:
Ingrid Seifert (Violin),
Charles Medlam (Bass Viola da gamba),
Richard Gwilt (Violin),
Terence Charlston (Chamber Organ),
Terence Charlston (Harpsichord)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Baroque
Period: Baroque
Written: 17th Century; Germany
23.
Sonatas (10) "Harmonia Parnissia": Sonata no 6 in D major by Matthias Weckmann
Performer:
Ingrid Seifert (Violin),
Charles Medlam (Bass Viola da gamba),
Richard Gwilt (Violin),
Terence Charlston (Chamber Organ),
Terence Charlston (Harpsichord)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Baroque
Period: Baroque
24.
Trio Sonata for 2 Violins and Basso Continuo in F major by Johann Kaspar Kerll
Performer:
Terence Charlston (Harpsichord),
Ingrid Seifert (Violin),
Charles Medlam (Bass Viola da gamba),
Richard Gwilt (Violin),
Terence Charlston (Chamber Organ)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Baroque
Period: Baroque
Written: 17th Century; Germany
33.
Sonata a tre by Giovanni Paolo Cima
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Baroque
Period: Baroque
Written: by 1610; Milan, Italy
42.
Canzon à 3 by Pier Francesco Cavalli
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Baroque
Period: Baroque
Written: by 1656; Italy
47.
Sonata no 12 by Giacinto Pestolozza
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Baroque
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