Stradella: Complete Violin Sinfonias

Featuring

Ewa Anna Augustynowicz
Ensemble Giardino di Delizie
Alessandro Stradella

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Compositional Technique

In Alessandro Stradella's sinfonias, the violin and basso continuo parts are treated as equals, with the basso continuo often developing melodic material in a constant dialogue, rather than just providing harmonic support.

Composer Biography

Alessandro Stradella, the composer of these violin sinfonias, had a dramatic life filled with escapes and intrigues, and died at 39 as the victim of an assault in mysterious circumstances.

Compositional Technique

The term 'Sinfonia' in Alessandro Stradella's time was vague and did not refer to a fixed structure; his sinfonias are characterized by 'varietas', a succession of sections with different rhythmic, stylistic, and melodic features.

Performer Biography

The Giardino di Delizie, the ensemble performing on this album, was founded in 2014 by its artistic director Ewa Anna Augustynowicz and focuses on rediscovering masterpieces by Italian and Polish Baroque composers.

Critical Reception

For centuries, Alessandro Stradella's fame was largely due to his adventurous life, which inspired films and novels, rather than his significance as a composer, until recent years brought his musical originality to light.

Recording & Production

This album of Alessandro Stradella's Complete Violin Sinfonias was recorded in the historic Saint Francis Church in Trevi, Italy, in November 2020.

Compositional Technique

Alessandro Stradella was an important experimenter with new sounds and ensembles for his era, particularly regarding the explicit subdivision between 'concertino' and 'concerto grosso' in his instrumental music.