FRANCESCO MANCINI: CONCERTI DA CAMERA

Eighteenth-century Naples was the heart of the Italian Baroque. Through the variety and virtuosity of this collection of pieces, Musica Pacifica perfectly captures the excitement of that era.

In these pieces, Mancini draws freely from solo concerti, concerti grossi, opera, and church music, saluting past styles and composers and anticipating future trends. For example, his Sonata in B-flat Major evokes the frothy, comic fun for which his successor Pergosi would eventually become known. You can also hear Handel in the gracious and slow movements. 

Each piece is powered by the rich and sonorous continuo of skilled instrumentation that ties the whole album together. You’ll find plenty of fun and beauty in these delightful adventures by the talented ensemble.

REVIEWS:

“Musica Pacifica is...comprised of the best of the best…The players’ list reads as a ‘Who’s Who in the California Early Music Scene,’ and these are among the best in the world. These artists...have a real joy in the music that they communicate here. This is true creativity, and it produces a most convincing musical product.”
– Alte Musik Aktuell (Germany), April 2001

“This is a model of Baroque scholarship and musical sensitivity, and this group is the most joyously entertaining of all early music specialists. The performances have wit and passion, and...what emerges is an exquisitely measured expression of technical wizardry… and breathtaking results. Each player...exhibits a musical intelligence manifested with extraordinary rhythmic life. An absolute MUST-HAVE for any music lover!”
– Beverly Hills Outlook, April 2002.

 “Energy and fine-pointed phrasing are hallmarks of Musica Pacifica’s performances…. It would be hard to go wrong buying [this disc]!”
– American Recorder, November 2000

“This recording is a delightful collection, played with much style and aplomb, and Musica Pacifica’s intonation is never less than excellent. It is a pleasure to hear this fine but unjustly neglected music getting a well-deserved airing. Highly recommended!”
– The Recorder Magazine, Autumn 2002

 PERFORMERS: 

Judith Linsenberg, recorder
Elizabeth Blumenstock, violin
Lisa Weiss, violin
George Thomson, viola
David Morris, cello
John Schneiderman, archlute/baroque guitar
Charles Sherman, harpsichord/organ

TRACKS: 

Sonata for Recorder, 2 Violins and Basso Continuo no. 17 in A minor, Mancini

Allegro – Andante
Spiritoso
Largo
Allegro

Sonata No. 10 in B flat Major, Mancini

Larghetto
Allegro
Largo
Allegro

Sonata No. 20 in C minor, Mancini

Comodo
Fuga – Allegro
Lento
Comodo

Concerto for Strings no. 2 in G minor, Durante 

Affetuoso – Presto
Largo Affetuoso
Allegro Affetuoso

Sonata for Recorder, 2 Violins and Basso Continuo no. 19 in E minor, Mancini 

Allegrissimo – Larghetto
Fuga
Moderato
Allegro

Sonata for Recorder, 2 Violins and Basso Continuo no. 6 in D minor, Mancini

Amoroso
Allegro
Largo
Allegro

Sinfonia No.1 for strings and continuo in A Major, Domenico Scarlatti 

Grave – Presto
Adagio
Allegrissimo Presto

Sonata No. 14 in G minor, Mancini 

Comodo
Fuga – Allegro
Larghetto
Allegro