The cello used on this recording was originally made by Viennese court luthier Anthony Posch for Prince Paul II Anton Esterházy, who appointed Joseph Haydn to his service.
Recording & Production
This album features world premiere recordings of works by Michal Stahel, Domenico Gabrielli, Francesco Paolo Supriano, and Joseph Marie Clemens Dall'Abaco.
Instruments
The cello played on this album survived World War II and post-war chaos, was rediscovered in 2007, and carefully restored before being lent to Michal Stahel in 2009.
Recording & Production
The entire album is recorded in a tuning of 392 Hz, which is half a tone deeper than the usual Baroque tuning of 415 Hz, giving the instrument a mysteriously deep timbre.
Performer Biography
Michal Stahel's artistic and musical direction was significantly changed by his regular performances with Slovak ensembles for Ancient Music, focusing on historically informed performance.
Historical Context
The Esterházy princes were significant patrons of music from the 17th to 19th centuries, commissioning works from composers like Salieri, Beethoven, Schubert, and Cherubini.
Instruments
Michal Stahel performs on a Baroque cello made by Anthony Posch in Vienna around 1720, which was restored in 2008 and is on loan from the Esterházy Foundation Eisenstadt.
