Before the history of the string quartet entered it's "classical" phase with Luigi Boccherini in Paris and Joseph Haydn in Vienna, it went through a long process of development marked by exciting experiments and compositional freedom. Italian composers in particular have distinguished themselves in this process and so the programme of Musica Fiorita presents special works by Italian composers from a period of about 100 years. Beginning with two works by Giovanni Maria Bononcini (the father of the famous Giovanni Battista), the development from a continuo accompanied to a continuo free quartet is shown. Alessandro Scarlatti is represented with four quartets from his late work, in which the opera composer turns to polyphonic part writing in an unusually complex and harmonically expressive way. Two compositions by the Italian Maddalena Laura Lombardini Sirmen, which represent the early classical phase of the string quartet, conclude the programme.

Tracklist:

Vari Fiori Del Giardino Musicale, Op. 3 (Excerpts): No. 17 In F Major
Vari Fiori Del Giardino Musicale, Op. 3 (Excerpts): No. 16 In E-Flat Major
Sonata À Quattro No. 1 In F Minor: I. Grave
Sonata À Quattro No. 1 In F Minor: II. Allegro
Sonata À Quattro No. 1 In F Minor: III. Largo
Sonata À Quattro No. 1 In F Minor: IV. Allemanda
Sonata À Quattro No. 2 In C Minor: I. Fuge
Sonata À Quattro No. 2 In C Minor: II. Grave
Sonata À Quattro No. 2 In C Minor: III. Allegro
Sonata À Quattro No. 2 In C Minor: IV. Minuet
Sonata À Quattro No. 3 In G Minor: I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Sonata À Quattro No. 3 In G Minor: II. Grave
Sonata À Quattro No. 3 In G Minor: III. Allegro
Sonata À Quattro No. 3 In G Minor: IV. Minuet
Sonata À Quattro No. 4 In D Minor: I. Largo
Sonata À Quattro No. 4 In D Minor: II. Grave
Sonata À Quattro No. 4 In D Minor: III. Allegro
Sonata À Quattro No. 4 In D Minor: IV. Allegro
Sonata À Quattro No. 4 In D Minor: V. Minuet
String Quartet In E-Flat Major, Op. 3 No. 1: I. Andante
String Quartet No. 1 In E-Flat Major, Op. 3 No. 1: II. Allegretto
String Quartet In F Minor, Op. 3 No. 5: I. Larghetto
String Quartet In F Minor, Op. 3 No. 5: II. Allegro
String Quartet In F Minor, Op. 3 No. 5: III. Larghetto
String Quartet In F Minor, Op. 3 No. 5: IV. Menuetto

UPC: 7619990104150
Label: Pan Classics
Release Date: 9.18.20
Format: CD

Bonocini / Musica Fiorita / Dolci - Evolution of the String Quarte (CD)