The G.A.P. Ensemble's previous CD, 'Affettuoso', received unanimous praise from the press, with 'Web Music International' calling it 'the best baroque CD that I have heard for a long time' and naming it 'CD of the Month' in September 2012.
Composer Biography
Giovanni Antonio Piani, a composer featured on this album, was the best-paid instrumentalist in the Imperial Court orchestra in Vienna, earning 1800 guilders annually.
Historical Context
The Habsburgs, important music patrons since the 15th century, brought Italian musical innovations to their courts, leading to the Italianisation of court orchestras in cities like Vienna.
Compositional Technique
Giovanni Antonio Piani's collection of Twelve Violin Sonatas, op. 1, is historically significant for being the first printed work to use the dynamic markings 'crescendo', 'diminuendo', and 'messa di voce'.
Composer Biography
Antonio Caldara, a composer on this album, became Emperor Charles VI's favorite composer, with his salary of 3900 guilders considerably exceeding that of the court kapellmeister, Fux.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded at the Erholungshaus der Bayer AG Leverkusen in Germany, a venue known for its good acoustics and frequently chosen by international artists for CD recordings.
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