Concerto Grosso for Recorder and Strings : Work information

Composers
(Pietro) Alessandro (Gaspare) Scarlatti ( Music, Images,)
Performed by
Richard Harvey (Recorder), London Vivaldi Orchestra, Monica Huggett (Conductor)

This work

Work name
Concerto Grosso for Recorder and Strings
Work number
n/a
Key
E minor
Genre
A
Composed
1715-01-01 02:01:00

This recording

Label
Gaudeamus
Producer
Richard Harvey and Brian Gulland
Engineer
Mark Sutton
Recording date
1982-01-01 02:00:00

The Composers

(Pietro) Alessandro (Gaspare) Scarlatti

Father to the more famous Domenico Scarlatti, Alessandro was no less influential in his own lifetime.  Born in Palermo, he moved to Rome in 1672 where he studied with Carissimi.  His first known opera, L'errore innocente, was performed in 1679 under his own supervision.  Royal appointments followed; in 1694 he became maestro for the Viceroy at Naples, and he had close links with the Queen of Sweden.  In 1703 he commenced as assistant maestro at S. Maria Maggiore in Rome, taking full responsibility in 1707.  In 1709 he returned to Naples where he was engaged at the Royal Chapel - a position his son Domenico had previously held.

Like his son, he was extremely prolific; he wrote around 115 operas, of which only one is a comedy.  In addition there exist over 800 cantatas, 12 symphonies and a huge quantity of church music.  It is thought that he wrote over 200 masses.  He left a great influence, and was known as the founder of the "Neapolitan School".

MIDI FILE -Sonata for cello and b.c. No.1 (8'08'')

MIDI FILE - Aria: "Se tu della mia morte" (3'36'')

Track listing

  • Vivace 0:52 min
  • Adagio 1:20 min
  • Andante 1:39 min
  • Adagio 0:58 min
  • Allegro 2:01 min