L‘Arte del Virtuoso Vol. 2
Solo Concertos
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
Martin Seyffert (1681–1745)
Johann Sigismund Weiss (1690–1737)
František Jiránek (1698–1778)
Johann Melchior Molter (1696–1765)
Joseph Höffner (1st half 19th century)
Caterva Musica
MDG 926 2281-6
(SACD)
Price: 21,99 €
heartwarming
Outstanding soloists bring their love of music to the orchestra: That is what defines caterva musica. With their debut album, the ensemble took the hearts of audiences by storm. Now with their second installment of solo concertos of the 18th century, there are more extraordinary pieces to discover – including music by long-forgotten masters.
carefree
The programme opens with a piano concerto by the 14-year-old Mozart, an adaptation of a sonata by Johann Christian Bach, which he wrote following a trip to London. The young genius took impressive freedoms: entire tutti passages are added, some passages are completely transformed. Bach's piano part remains almost idential, resulting in an especially alluring rococo jewel.
opulent
Molter's "Sonata grossa" is magnificently grand: trumpets, timpani, oboes and strings as well as extensive continuo spread festive cheer. Whilst František Jiránek's Violin Concerto demands a great deal from the virtuoso, Martin Seyffert's Oboe Concerto is particularly moving in the second movement with its heartfelt melodies and atmospheric harmonies.
avant-garde
Johann Sigismund Weiss was not overshadowed by his older, much more famous brother Silvius Leopold, neither with his skills on the lute nor in composition. This can be heard in his concerto, which precedes the "Mannheim" tone. Another treasure trove is Joseph Höffner's Concerto for the keyed trumpet: detached from the limitations of the natural trumpet, Höffner shows the full sonic splendour of this revolutionary instrument of its time - as if it were written for caterva musica’s virtuosos.
"Hochrangige Werke unbekannter Meister. Abwechlungsreiches Hörvergnügen. Somit erfreut den Zuhörer auf dieser SACD ein vielfältiges Programm von Musik der spätbarocken Epoche bis zur Musik der Frühromantik." - Klassik Heute
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