Jorge Juan Morata, the tenor on this recording, has performed in festivals and theatres across Europe and the USA, including the Auditorio Nacional de Madrid and the Early Music Festival of Washington.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Cantatas, especially camera cantatas, were ideal for expressing the Baroque 'affetti' (emotions), which were central to the period's aesthetic.
Compositional Technique
Baroque cantatas were written for pure vocal interpretation, while sonatas were conceived for musical instruments.
Composition History
Handel's 'Italian period' (1706-1710) was his most prolific for composing camera cantatas, such as 'Ah, che pur troppo è vero' (HWV77) and 'Care selve, aure grate' (HWV88).
Performer Biography
Lixsania Fernández, the viola da gamba player, was born in Cuba and later studied viola da gamba in Spain, participating in masterclasses with renowned musicians like Jordi Savall.
Historical Context
Cantatas and sonatas were popular musical forms in the Baroque period, often commissioned for private events and intellectual gatherings in noblemen's salons.
Interpretation
Although originally for other instruments, the two sonatas on this recording (HWV363a and HWV367a) are played by a viola da gamba, demonstrating the adaptability of such works.
