Lonati: Sonate da chiesa

Featuring

Gunar Letzbor
Ars Antiqua Austria
Carlo Ambrogio Lonati

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Critical Reception

The printed version of Lonati's sonatas is full of errors, suggesting the publisher lacked understanding of scordatura notation.

Composer Biography

Lonati's physical appearance led him to be cast in vocal roles depicting gnomes and dwarfs.

Compositional Technique

Lonati's use of scordatura, an alternative tuning for string instruments, in his sonatas indicates his awareness of stylistic features common north of the Alps.

Historical Context

Lonati dedicated his sonata collection to Emperor Leopold I, a musician and 'hero of the Counter-Reformation', who personally ensured the quality of music at his court.

Composition History

Lonati's sonatas were already considered somewhat old-fashioned by the time of their 1701 publication; earlier release would have brought greater acclaim.

Composition History

Lonati's collection of twelve sonatas, comprising six 'sonate da chiesa' and six 'sonate da camera', was not published until 1701, despite his fame as a virtuoso.