This delightful disc was one of the stalwarts of the old Das Alte Werk catalogue which has been lovingly reissued in the latest set of releases by Warner to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this pioneering baroque label.
Although only clocking in at 54 minutes, the disc has works by five different composers with two members of the Scarlatti family represented with two major sonatas. Durante's and Sarri's concertos are also pleasant works with the sound of the oboe particularly soothing and refreshing.
The disc concludes with Francesco Mancini's ravishing Sonata in D minor with Il Giardino Armonico particularly effusive. The recordings hail from the 1990's and are as clean as a whistle. Anyone who loves Italian baroque music should definitely snap this issue up soonest.
Copyright © 2008 by Gerald Fenech