I Musicisti dell'imperatore present composers who were connected to the Habsburgs and Emperor Charles VI in the most varied ways. There is Giovanni Antonio Piani, almost unknown today and the best-paid musician of the Imperial Court Orchestra, and Antonio Caldara, Charles XI's favorite composer - both of him lived and worked in Vienna. Other music directors in the service of the Habsburgs were Alessandro Scarlatti and Antonio Vivaldi, in Naples and Mantua respectively. Founded in 2011, the young G.A.P. Ensemble consists of superb musicians who occupy leading positions in the most important European baroque orchestras. Since 2013 the ensemble has worked very closely with Italian Soprano Raffaella Milanesi, heard here. The name G.A.P. is a tribute to the ensembles connection with the aforementioned Italian composer Giovanni Antonio Piani, whose sonatas op. 1 were rediscovered by Emilio Percan and brought back to audiences in a world premiere recording.

Tracklist:

Violin Sonata In G Minor, Op. 1, No. 1: I. Prelude
Violin Sonata In G Minor, Op. 1, No. 1: II. Allemande
Violin Sonata In G Minor, Op. 1, No. 1: III. Sarabande
Violin Sonata In G Minor, Op. 1, No. 1: IV. Gigue
Risoluto Son Gia Tiranno Amore: Recitative: Risulto Son Gia
Risoluto Son Gia Tiranno Amore: Aria: Arma Frodi
Risoluto Son Gia Tiranno Amore: Recitative: Quel Panico Spanvento
Risoluto Son Gia Tiranno Amore: Aria: Guerra, Guerra
Violin Sonata In F Major, Op. 1, No. 3: I. Prelude
Violin Sonata In F Major, Op. 1, No. 3: II. Courante
Violin Sonata In F Major, Op. 1, No. 3: III. Sarabande
Violin Sonata In F Major, Op. 1, No. 3: IV. Siciliana
Appena Chiudo Gli Occhi: Andante
Appena Chiudo Gli Occhi: Recitative: Appena Chiudo Gli Occhi
Appena Chiudo Gli Occhi: Aria: Dolce Sonno
Appena Chiudo Gli Occhi: Recitative: Se Dell'idolo Mio
Appena Chiudo Gli Occhi: Amico Sonno
Violin Sonata In A Minor, Op. 1, No. 9: I. Prelude
Violin Sonata In A Minor, Op. 1, No. 9: II. Allemande
Violin Sonata In A Minor, Op. 1, No. 9: III. Grave
Violin Sonata In A Minor, Op. 1, No. 9: IV. Gigue
Lungi Dal Vago Volto, Rv 680: Recitative: Lungi Dal Vago Volto
Lungi Dal Vago Volto, Rv 680: Aria: Augeletti
Lungi Dal Vago Volto, Rv 680: Recitative: Allegrezza, Mio Core
Lungi Dal Vago Volto, Rv 680: Aria: Mi Stringerai

UPC: 7619990103245
Label: Pan Classics
Release Date: 2.24.15
Format: CD

Piani / Milanesi / GAP Ensemble - I Musicisti Dell'imperatore - Music from the Reign (CD)