Conversed Monologue: Concerti by J.G. Graun, J.-M. Leclair & W.F. Bach

Conversed Monologue: Concerti by J.G. Graun, J.-M. Leclair & W.F. Bach

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Total playing time [70:08]

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Fantasticus XL
Rie Kimura (Baroque violin)
Robert Smith (viola da gamba)
Guillermo Brachetta (harpsichord)

Following several exciting and critically acclaimed albums as a Baroque trio, the Amsterdam-based group Fantasticus are now augmented to become a chamber orchestra for the first time – Fantasticus XL.

Their debut recording as an expanded group features three diverse early concerti that charts the differing forms of French and German forms of this evolving genre.

The album consists of one concerto for each original member of the trio of Rie Kimura (Baroque violin – Jean-Marie Leclair), Robert Smith (viola da gamba – Johann Gottlieb Graun) and Guillermo Brachetta (harpsichord – Wilhelm Freidemann Bach).  

Album Booklet (PDF)

Tracklist

Johann Gottlieb Graun (1703-1771)
Concerto for Viola da Gamba in C major, GraunWV A:XIII:2
1. Allegro di molto
2. Arietta e poco andante con sordini
3. Presto

Jean-Marie Leclair (1697-1764)
Concerto for Violin in G minor, Op. 10, No. 6
4. Allegro ma poco
5. Andante aria grazioso
6. Allegro

Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (1710-1784)
Concerto for Harpsichord in F major, BR C13 / Falck 44
7. Allegro ma non troppo
8. Molto adagio
9. Presto

'As with all their previous discs, the playing is accomplished and virtuosic, but without letting the difficulty ever take centre stage – demanding the three works may be, but each of the three stars still manage to produce ravishing sounds from their instruments.'

- Early Music Review

'[...] conceptually right on the money [... Robert Smith's] solo lines smoothly elegant but also projecting a huge sense of fun and spirit [...] the strikingly sweet, sonorous beauty Guillermo Brachetta extracts from his instrument'
Gramophone

'Soloist Robert Smith combines agility with grace in a vivacious performance [...] bravura and eloquence - qualities which Rie Kimura conveys with discrete style [...] W.F. Bach puts the harpsichord soloist through his paces with athletic passagework and intricate figurations, all of which Guillermo Brachetta handles with prowess and fitting gallantry.'
BBC Music Magazine

'As with all their previous discs, the playing is accomplished and virtuosic, but without letting the difficulty ever take centre stage – demanding the three works may be, but each of the three stars still manage to produce ravishing sounds from their instruments.'
Early Music Review

'An interesting assemblage of 18th Century instrumental music written for courtly patrons. Using authentic instruments this ensemble transport the listener to a different age and culture in committed performances of these three concerti.'
Lark Reviews

'All three members of the original Fantasticus take solo roles in the featured concertos – and what fascinating pieces they are. One of the joys of this recording is that all three pieces are little-known, but well worth discovering.'
Andrew Benson-Wilson (andrewbensonwilson.org)

Credits
© 2016 Resonus Limited
Ⓟ 2016 Fantasticus under exclusive licence to Resonus Limited
Resonus Catalogue No. RES10166
Producer, engineer & editor: Adam Binks
EAN: 5060262790700
Cover image: Photography by Marco Borggreve