Ariosti - The Stockholm Sonatas Vol. 3 - Georgi, Harris, Brinkmann, Kirkby (2009)
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Genre: Classical | Label: BIS

The viola d’amore is one of those colorful “accessory” instruments so popular with Baroque composers. Played under the chin like the violin, it has six or seven sympathetic strings running under the fingerboard that are responsible for the instrument’s characteristic silvery sound. Like the oboe d’amore and the voice flute, the viola d’amore was newly invented; it came into use during the second half of the 17th century, but never became a permanent member of the orchestra. Bach, Telemann, Vivaldi, and Quantz wrote sparingly for the viola d’amore, but it dropped out of sight during the Romantic era. Surprisingly, the instrument has persisted until the present day; composers as diverse as Strauss, Janácek, Hindemith, Martin, and Villa-Lobos have been attracted to its gentle, ethereal sound. Thomas Georgi is an American who performed with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra of Australia for many years, and since 1989 has been a member of the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra of Toronto. After joining that group he began to champion the viola d’amore, and has recorded two previous volumes of Ariosti for BIS. Apparently those CDs were never received by Fanfare for review. Georgi is joined by two excellent instrumentalists, lutenist Lucas Harris and gambist Mimi Yamahiro Brinkmann, and the renowned English soprano Dame Emma Kirkby. The performances are models of their kind, with colorful, expressive playing from Georgi, and first-rate contributions from the two continuo players. I applaud the decision to employ archlute (theorbo) and guitar as continuo instruments; a harpsichord would have overwhelmed the delicate sound of the viola d’amore. Of particular interest is the cantata—it demonstrates that Dame Emma’s voice is as beautiful and controlled as ever, even after nearly 40 years before the public. When the pressures and madness of modern life press in, there is nothing better than to retreat into the delicate sound world of Ariosti for rejuvenation.

Tracklist:
01 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #15 In F Minor - 1. Grave (01:29)
02 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #15 In F Minor - 2. Non Presto (01:13)
03 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #15 In F Minor - 3. Adagio (03:05)
04 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #15 In F Minor - 4. Menuet (01:08)
05 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #16 In G - 1. Presto (02:02)
06 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #16 In G - 2. Grave (01:42)
07 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #16 In G - 3. Allegro (01:53)
08 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #17 In B Flat - 1. Adagio (03:09)
09 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #17 In B Flat - 2. Courente (01:49)
10 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #17 In B Flat - 3. Adagio (03:12)
11 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #17 In B Flat - 4. Tempo Di Gavotta (01:11)
12 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #18 In D Minor - 1. Adagio (02:42)
13 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #18 In D Minor - 2. Allegro (00:59)
14 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #18 In D Minor - 3. Adagio (02:29)
15 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #18 In D Minor - 4. Allegro (01:26)
16 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #19 In A Minor - 1. Adagio (01:14)
17 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #19 In A Minor - 2. Allegro (01:14)
18 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #19 In A Minor - 3. Adagio (02:49)
19 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #19 In A Minor - 4. Rondeaux (00:58)
20 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #20 In G Minor - 1. Grave (02:01)
21 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #20 In G Minor - 2. Allegro (01:08)
22 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #20 In G Minor - 3. Sarabande (02:21)
23 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #20 In G Minor - 4. Rondeaux (01:23)
24 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #21 In A Minor - 1. Tempo Giusto (01:21)
25 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #21 In A Minor - 2. Andante (01:11)
26 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #21 In A Minor - 3. Courente (02:16)
27 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #21 In A Minor - 4. Adagio (03:52)
28 - Thomas Georgi, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Lucas Harris - Ariosti: Viola D'Amore Sonata #21 In A Minor - 5. Menuet (01:02)
29 - Thomas Georgi, Emma Kirby, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Etc. - Anon: Pur Al Fin Gentil Viola (So At Last, Gentle Viola) - Pur Alfin Gentil Viola (05:23)
30 - Thomas Georgi, Emma Kirby, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Etc. - Anon: Pur Al Fin Gentil Viola (So At Last, Gentle Viola) - Non Fu Saggio Il Consiglio … (01:03)
31 - Thomas Georgi, Emma Kirby, Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann, Etc. - Anon: Pur Al Fin Gentil Viola (So At Last, Gentle Viola) - Belta Che Col Rigor … (04:55)