Domenico Gallo

Domenico Gallo - 12 Trio Sonatas (Originally attributed to Pergolesi)
Classical | 1 CD | EAC | FLAC, CUE, LOG | Scans | 429 MB | RS
Recorded: 22+23/2, 28+30/6 1999, Hans Rosbaud Studio, Baden-Baden
Released: 2000 | Label: cpo 999 717 | TT: 68:50
Parnassi musici (Margaret MacDuffie, Matthias Fischer - violin,
Stephan Schrader - cello, Martin Lutz - harpsichord)

Within the first few seconds of the first track–the Sonata No. 1 in G major–most listeners will find themselves in surprisingly familiar territory–surprising because this little-known 18th-century composer seems to have written a popular tune long attributed to Pergolesi, a misattribution given additional false credibility by its use in Stravinsky's Pulcinella. […] Ultimately–other than the fact that it's always nice to set the record straight–the author of these expertly written and very appealing works for violins, cello, and harpsichord is not so important as what they offer to listeners and to performers. […] As realized by these four excellent players and their well-matched period instruments, we can count on a steadfastly upbeat, uplifting hour and 10 minutes of first rate chamber music notable for its lovely, lively melodies and skillfully varied textures and harmonic settings. (David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com)
The playing of the period instrument group Parnassi musici is elegant, tuneful and exhibits a splendid lightness of touch. This is music to delight rather than astound, and, along with compositions by Bach's sons, gives an aural snapshot of the moment when the formality of the Baroque period gave way to classical exuberance. (Tony Gualtieri, classical-music-review.org)

Within the first few seconds of the first track–the Sonata No. 1 in G major–most listeners will find themselves in surprisingly familiar territory–surprising because this little-known 18th-century composer seems to have written a popular tune long attributed to Pergolesi, a misattribution given additional false credibility by its use in Stravinsky's Pulcinella. In fact Stravinsky used selections from several of Domenico Gallo's trio sonatas in his famous ballet music, thinking them to be works of Pergolesi because they were published under his name in late-19th century English editions.

London Baroque offers another installment in its ongoing European Trio Sonata series, this time devoted to 18th-century Italy; as with the ensemble’s previous efforts the program features generally excellent performances of lesser-known repertoire. Ten years ago I reviewed a similar 18th-century Italian program by this same group titled “Stravaganze Napoletane”, also on BIS, and was generally impressed with the performances–except for one piece: Domenico Gallo’s Sonata No. 1 in G major.

Pergolesi’s two settings of the Salve Regina are rather different one from another. That in C minor is darker, more passionate, the string writing (not least at the very beginning) richly expressive; indeed the first of its six movements, is a largo of exquisite beauty, a perfect illustration of a particular kind of baroque beauty, intensely expressive and seeming to hold back a freedom of lyricism which is effectively liberated only in the brief andante which follows. Some of the greatest baroque effects are created by interplay between restraint and excess. This is one of them.

Igor Stravinsky - Petrushka / Pulcinella
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra / Riccardo Chailly
FLAC, EAC, LOG & CUE | Artwork | Size: 478 MB
Label/Cat#: Decca # 443 774-2 DH | Country/Year: Europe 1995
Genre: Classical | Style: Ballet

Pulcinella is a ballet by Igor Stravinsky based on an 18th-century play — Pulcinella is a character originating from Commedia dell'arte. The ballet premiered at the Paris Opera on 15 May 1920 under the baton of Ernest Ansermet.

Stravinsky - Petrushka, Pulcinella
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra / Riccardo Chailly
FLAC, EAC, LOG & CUE | Lossless Artwork | Size: 478 MB
Label/Cat#: Decca 443 774-2 DH | Country/Year: Europe 1995
Genre: Russian Ballet | Hoster: Filesonic/Uploaded/Filepost

Pulcinella is a ballet by Igor Stravinsky based on an 18th-century play — Pulcinella is a character originating from Commedia dell'arte. The ballet premiered at the Paris Opera on 15 May 1920 under the baton of Ernest Ansermet.