COMPOSERS: Hasse
LABELS: Chaconne
ALBUM TITLE: Hasse
WORKS: Trio Sonata in F; Trio Sonata in D; Trio Sonata in C; Sonata No. 5 in E minor; Sonata in G; Sonata in F
PERFORMER: Epoca Barocca
CATALOGUE NO: CHAN 0711
The claim that the sonatas and trios on this disc are ‘premiere recordings’ is not strictly true since all three trios have been previously issued, though with different instrumentation, on Nuova Era. Hasse’s chamber instrumental legacy is very small indeed compared with his vast sacred and secular vocal music output. Its mainly transitional character, blending late Baroque and early Classical manners lends great charm to these pieces, played with expressive delicacy and affection by Epoca Barocca. In addition to the three trios for oboe, violin and continuo there is a solo sonata for each and a Quartet for chalumeau, oboe, bassoon and continuo. I cannot imagine there is any reader who could fail to be beguiled by the gentle allure of this unfailingly amiable music. The playful spirit of the faster movements is effortlessly captured by these accomplished musicians while the lyricism, sometimes tinged with melancholy of the slow ones – the Adagio of the Quartet springs to mind – is always tenderly revealed. In short, here is a disc of pure enchantment, and which offers a model of balanced ensemble playing. Nicholas Anderson
Hasse: Trio Sonata in F; Trio Sonata in D; Trio Sonata in C; Sonata No. 5 in E minor; Sonata in G; Sonata in F
The claim that the sonatas and trios on this disc are ‘premiere recordings’ is not strictly true since all three trios have been previously issued, though with different instrumentation, on Nuova Era. Hasse’s chamber instrumental legacy is very small indeed compared with his vast sacred and secular vocal music output. Its mainly transitional character, blending late Baroque and early Classical manners lends great charm to these pieces, played with expressive delicacy and affection by Epoca Barocca.
Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:56 pm