Sammartini's contemporaries were struck by his music's rhythmic vitality, pursuit of contrasts, and distinctive character, which still surprises and challenges modern listeners.
Composer Biography
Giovanni Battista Sammartini, the composer, spent his entire life in or around Milan, where he played a crucial role in the city's musical scene.
Compositional Technique
These cantatas are non-liturgical, with Italian texts instead of Latin, and focus on human feelings and emotions, serving as a substitute for theatrical representations forbidden during Lent.
Composition History
Sammartini had a long collaboration, spanning about fifty years, with a lay Congregation in Milan that focused its devotion on Christ's Passion.
Recording & Production
Daniele Ferrari, the conductor, prepared a critical edition of all eight of Sammartini's cantatas, which have been performed and recorded for the first time in recent years based on his work.
Compositional Technique
Both cantatas feature three soloists (soprano, alto, tenor), each singing an aria preceded by a recitative, and conclude with a trio.
Historical Context
The Congregation that commissioned these cantatas had a mixture of Italian and Spanish members due to its founding by Spanish and Italian aristocrats in 1633, later including Austrian members during Austrian domination.
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