Robert Valentine, born in Leicester, England, lived in Rome from before 1701 until his death in 1747, where he was known as "Roberto Valentini Inglese."
Composer Biography
Robert Valentine was a violinist, flutist, and oboist, performing in public events like Arcangelo Corelli's Symphony in 1704 and Handel's oratorio La Resurrezione in 1708.
Recording & Production
The twelve sonatas on this recording are from Manuscript Sanv.D.145, a collection of works by Robert Valentine preserved in the Biblioteca Palatina in Parma.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Arcangelo Corelli, a prominent Italian Baroque composer, served as a model for Robert Valentine's early collections, and may have been the reason Valentine traveled from England to Italy.
Historical Context
Robert Valentine struggled to integrate into Rome's competitive musical scene, partly due to sharing a name with another active Florentine violinist and composer, Giuseppe Valentini.
Compositional Technique
Robert Valentine's compositions evolved, showing an eclectic side by adopting the theatrical and pathetic stylistic elements of Neapolitan composers, moving towards the galant style.
Composition History
Robert Valentine invested heavily in publishing his own works, a rare practice in Italy at the time due to the high cost of movable-type printing, to further his success as a composer.
You might also enjoy...
Anthology of the Recorder, Vol. 5
Theatre Of Early Music - Here Let My Life
Platti: Sonates et trios
Vivaldi: Sonate Concertani per Fiati
Mancini: 12 Recorder Sonatas
Eichner: Flute Quartets Nos. 1-6 (Il Gardellino)
Handel & Vivaldi: Concerti e arie
Platti: Sonate e Trio sonate
Mancini: Xii Solos Vol. 1 [recorder Sonatas], for a Flute with a Thorough Bass for the Harpsicord (London: J. Barrett & W. Smith)
Quentin & Guillemain: Conversations
The Oboe in Berlin
On a Cold Winter's Day - Early Christmas Music and Carols from the British Isles
