Valentine was part of a group of virtuoso wind instrumentalists who moved to Italy in the early 18th century, partly due to a scarcity of such musicians there.
Composer Biography
Robert Valentine, an English violinist, cellist, flutist, and oboist, moved from his native England to Rome between 1693 and 1700, where he became a prolific composer of sonatas, especially for recorder.
Compositional Technique
Valentine's sonatas feature expressive melodic lines in slow movements and often include syncopated figures in the flute part and rhythmic repeated notes in the bass during faster movements.
Composition History
Robert Valentine dedicated his Sonatas, Opera XII, to Gennaro Moccia, Duke of Oratina, a noble patron of the arts in Naples.
Performer Biography
The Ensemble Barocco di Napoli was founded by Tommaso Rossi, Raffaele Di Donna, and Marco Vitali, debuting in 2010 to celebrate Alessandro Scarlatti's 350th birth anniversary.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Valentine's later sonatas, like those in Opera XII, show a move away from Corellian models towards a more modern, 'theatrical' style influenced by Neapolitan melodramatic writing.
Interpretation
The Ensemble Barocco di Napoli aimed for timbral richness in the basso continuo, using a variety of instruments beyond the traditional harpsichord, cello, and archlute, such as bass recorder and bassoon.
You might also enjoy...
Handel: Recorder & Flute Sonatas
Hotteterre: Pieces for Recorder
Händel: Recorder Sonatas
Marais, M.: Pieces De Violes, Book 4 (Music's Re-Creation)
