Count Aloys Thomas Raimund von Harrach, a Habsburg representative, was sent to Naples as Viceroy in 1728, a posting he viewed as a punishment rather than an honor.
Cultural Impact
The musical and pictorial souvenirs Count Harrach collected during his six years in Italy are still appreciated today, with paintings at Rohrau Castle and music in recording projects like this one.
Historical Context
The recorder was very fashionable in Naples during Count Harrach's time there, partly due to the earlier visit of star flautist Johann Joachim Quantz, who studied with Alessandro Scarlatti.
Historical Context
Count Harrach's interest in music went beyond noble obligations; he traveled with a harpsichord and ensured it was regularly tuned.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Giovanni Adolfo Hasse, a German composer, adopted such a perfect Neapolitan accent in his music that he became known as 'il divino Sassone' (the divine Saxon).
Historical Context
Leonardo Vinci, a Neapolitan composer, was called 'le vrai dieu de la musique' (the true god of music) by Frenchman Charles de Brosses in 1739, nine years after Vinci's premature death.
Composer Biography
Many composers on this album are featured in the recently discovered Harrach manuscript collection, indicating a direct connection to Count Harrach's time in Naples or his travels in Italy.
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