Graziani: 6 Sonatas for Violoncello & Continuo, Op. 3 Stefano Cerrato & Armoniosa

• Carlo Graziani (? - 1787): Sonata No. 1 in G Major:
• 1 Sonata No. 1 in G Major: I. Allegro 05:35
• 2 Sonata No. 1 in G Major: II. Larghetto Grazioso 03:40
• 3 Sonata No. 1 in G Major: III. Presto 05:21
• Sonata No. 2 in A Major:
• 4 Sonata No. 2 in A Major: I. Allegretto Grazioso 05:43
• 5 Sonata No. 2 in A Major: II. Cantabile 03:35
• 6 Sonata No. 2 in A Major: III. Rondeau Grazioso 03:24
• Sonata No. 3 in B-Flat Major:
• 7 Sonata No. 3 in B-Flat Major: I. Allegretto 04:58
• 8 Sonata No. 3 in B-Flat Major: II. Largo Maestoso 03:13
• 9 Sonata No. 3 in B-Flat Major: III. Menuetto 06:44
• Sonata No. 4 in F Major:
• 10 Sonata No. 4 in F Major: I. Allegretto 05:49
• 11 Sonata No. 4 in F Major: II. Larghetto 02:40
• 12 Sonata No. 4 in F Major: III. Allegro Grazioso 03:00
• Sonata No. 5 in D Major:
• 13 Sonata No. 5 in D Major: I. Allegretto 05:18
• 14 Sonata No. 5 in D Major: II. Cantabile 03:55
• 15 Sonata No. 5 in D Major: III. Menuetto 06:54
• Sonata No. 6 in E-Flat Major:
• 16 Sonata No. 6 in E-Flat Major: I. Allegro Moderato 05:06
• 17 Sonata No. 6 in E-Flat Major: II. Largo Sostenuto 04:28
• 18 Sonata No. 6 in E-Flat Major: III. Aria Amoroso – Minore un poco più Andantino 08:11
• Total Runtime 01:27:34

Info zu Graziani: 6 Sonatas for Violoncello & Continuo, Op. 3

Carlo Graziani, born in the Italian city of Asti c1710 was one of the earliest cello virtuosos. Well-travelled, he played in London with the 7-year-old Mozart in 1764 and left many sets of sonatas and several concertos for his instrument. He retired from the Prussian court in 1773, to be succeeded by Jean-Pierre Duport, but he continued to work for Friedrich Wilhelm II on a very generous pension. His sonatas provide a fascinating example of his artistry and ability: rapid passage work, double-stopping and extensive use of the upper register. They also illustrate the composer's view on the melodic capabilities of the instrument. The Six Sonatas Op.3 were dedicated to Friedrich Wilhelm II, who must have been an exceptionally gifted pupil.

Armoniosa, also from Asti, deliver elegant, polished and affectionate performances of these sonatas by one of the key figures in the instrument's development.

Armoniosa:
Stefano Cerrato, violoncello
Marco Demaria, violoncello di continuo
Michele Barchi, harpsichord

Recorded on 15.05 & 18.05.2017 at RedDress Recording Studio
Recording, Editing and Mastering by Francesco & Stefano Cerrato
Produced by Francesco Cerrato

Armoniosa
was founded in 2012 after the artistic and cultural activities experienced within the Diocesan Institute for Liturgy and Music of the Diocese of Asti, thanks to the ideas of Francesco and Stefano Cerrato, Marco Demaria, Daniele Ferretti and Michele Barchi.

The ensemble aims to be an excellence in the international panorama, and adopts a rigorous method of study and work concerning style and interpretation. The ensemble chose to use original period instruments in order to have the best sound result and apply to a veritable interpretation.

Armoniosa was invited by Reinhard Goebel for a collaboration and a superior course in the Universität Mozarteum Salzburg (Austria), during the Academic Year 2013/2014. In September 2016 Trevor Pinnock worked with Armoniosa on the Händel, Concerti Grossi op.6 during a special Masterclass in Asti. These important meetings are a true “luggage” for the artistic growing of the Ensemble.

Armoniosa is regularly invited by the best Festivals in Europe, and played concerts for the Mainzer Musik Sommer in Mainz (Germany, 2016), the Baltic Philharmonia Season in Gdansk (Poland, 2016), the Alte Musik live Festival in Berlin (Germany, 2017), the Thüringer Bachwochen in Eisenach (Germany, 2017), the Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alte Musik in Innsbruck (Austria, 2017), the Casa dei Mezzo Festival in Makrigyalos (Greece, 2017), the Alba International Festival in Alba (Italy, 2016 and 2017), the Grandezze&Meraviglie Festival in Modena (Italy, 2015 and 2017).

La Stravaganza op.4 by Antonio Vivaldi (2015), first international release by Armoniosa and the German label MDG had a dazzling debut and wonderful reviews from the most important international press, like Gramophone (UK), Fanfare Magazine (USA), Klassik.com (D).

Armoniosa then released the Six TrioSonatas for violin, violoncello and continuo by Giovanni Benedetto Platti (2016), with successfull reviews around Europe.

Armoniosa is releasing in Autumn 2017 the Six Sonatas op.3 for violoncello and continuo by Carlo Graziani with the English label Rubicon Classics.

Booklet für Graziani: 6 Sonatas for Violoncello & Continuo, Op. 3