Castro proudly displayed his Spanish heritage on the frontispiece of his Op. 1 collection, appearing as "Francesco Giuseppe di Castro Spagnuolo."
Compositional Technique
Castro's ten trio sonatas are the only known Spanish examples of this genre from the 17th century, featuring rich melodies, imaginative harmony, and clever rhythmic ideas that evoke his Spanish origin.
Composition History
The "Trattenimenti armonici" are dedicated to Count Gaetano Giovanelli, a Venetian noble and leader of the Accademia de' Formati at the Collegio de' Nobili di S. Antonio in Brescia.
Composer Biography
Francisco José de Castro, a young Sevillian violinist, was one of many Spanish musicians who achieved high esteem and recognition working outside Spain.
Composition History
Castro's first published work, "Trattenimenti armonici," was issued in 1695 by Pier Maria Monti, a prominent Bologna publisher who also released works by influential composers like Corelli.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in Oviedo, Spain, in February 2015, and the harpsichord used was made by Rafael Marijuán in 2014, after a 1712 Joseph Bueno instrument.
Historical Context
The Collegio dei Nobili in Brescia, run by Jesuits, was a very active institution for violin music publication in Italy between 1690 and 1700, accounting for almost 10% of the known output.
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