Grazioli: 12 Harpsichord Sonatas Opp. 1 & 2

Featuring

Chiara Minali
Giovanni Battista Grazioli

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Critical Reception

This recording aims to pay homage to Grazioli, a composer who has been "wrongly neglected" for too long, despite the elegance and refinement of his musical ideas.

Composer Biography

Giovanni Battista Grazioli, the composer, began his career as an organist at St. Mark's in Venice in 1778, initially filling in for his teacher, Ferdinando Bertoni.

Instruments

The harpsichord used for this recording is a copy of a J. Ruckers, Antwerpen 1638 instrument, built by William Horn.

Performer Biography

Chiara Minali, the harpsichordist on this album, previously recorded a 3-album box set of Ignazio Spergher's Keyboard Works, which received a 5-star review and was listed among the top 20 albums of 2019 by the British magazine Choir & Organ.

Composition History

Grazioli's Op. 1 and Op. 2 harpsichord sonata collections, each containing six sonatas, were published in Venice starting in 1780.

Compositional Technique

The twelve sonatas by Grazioli are all in major keys and typically follow a three-movement structure: allegro, adagio, allegro.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Grazioli's compositions are characterized by restraint, elegance, and a style far removed from virtuosic ostentation, reflecting a kindly and sensitive personality.