Little is known about the childhood of Nicola Fiorenza (1700c-64), except that taught at the Conservatory of S. Maria di Loreto in his home city of Naples from 1742-62, from where he was dismissed for allegedly mistreating pupils after repeated complaints about his rather draconian teaching methods. His surviving works show him to be his own man, cultivating a style that is a skillful blend of Venetian, Neapolitan and French Baroque styles. He was also a very skilled exponent of counterpoint. His music is certainly stands out from the mainstream of late Italian baroque. Fiorenza's four concertos are coupled on this disc with a delightful work by another little known Neapolitan composer - Giovanni Battista Mele (1694?-after 1752). Hios lively and cleverly composed concerto for recorder and strings is a real discovery, and is his only known concerto.

Tracklist:

Concerto for Recorder, 3 Violins ; Continuo in G minor:
Moderato
Concerto for Recorder, 3 Violins ; Continuo in G minor:
Allegro
Concerto for Recorder, 3 Violins ; Continuo in G minor:
Largo
Concerto for Recorder, 3 Violins ; Continuo in G minor:
Allegro
Concerto for Recorder, 2 Violins ; Continuo in A minor:
Largo
Concerto for Recorder, 2 Violins ; Continuo in A minor:
Allegro
Concerto for Recorder, 2 Violins ; Continuo in A minor:
Grave
Concerto for Recorder, 2 Violins ; Continuo in A minor:
Allegro Assai
Concerto for Recorder, 3 Violins, Viola ; Continuo in C minor:
Largo Amoroso
Concerto for Recorder, 3 Violins, Viola ; Continuo in C minor:
Andante
Concerto for Recorder, 3 Violins, Viola ; Continuo in C minor:
Largo
Concerto for Recorder, 3 Violins, Viola ; Continuo in C minor:
Allegro
Concerto for Recorder, 3 Violins, Viola ; Continuo in F minor:
Largo - Presto - Largo
Concerto for Recorder, 3 Violins, Viola ; Continuo in F minor:
Allegro Ma Non Presto
Concerto for Recorder, 3 Violins, Viola ; Continuo in F minor:
Largo
Concerto for Recorder, 3 Violins, Viola ; Continuo in F minor:
Allegro
Concerto in F, for Recorder, 2 Violins ; B.C.:
Andante
Concerto in F, for Recorder, 2 Violins ; B.C.:
Allegro
Concerto in F, for Recorder, 2 Violins ; B.C.:
Adagio
Concerto in F, for Recorder, 2 Violins ; B.C.:
Allegro

UPC: 842977039566
Label: Brilliant Classics
Release Date: 5.4.10
Format: CD

Fiorenze & Mele - Recorder Concertos (CD)