Fabio Bonizzoni - Last Sonatas - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Suspended between the Renaissance and Baroque eras, Merulo's Toccate are unique compositions which occupy a singular role in the landscape of keyboard music. They are not prototypes, in that they are artistically too mature rather, they prelude the way of expressing affetti of the Inchseconda pratticaInch on the keyboard, an art of which Frescobaldi would later be the uncontested master. The fascination of these daring compositions lies in the coexistence of new and old elements, Renaissance polyphony and Baroque gestural impulses. Claudio Merulo, who lived between Parma and Venice and was active not only as a great organ virtuoso, but also as an editor and alchemist, finds in his music the magic formula of balance between extreme elements which preserve his legacy as a mature and exceptional artist.

This disc contains a selection of beautiful and very individual music for violin and harpsichord by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach. The performers are two among the most distinguished musicians of the Baroque on HIP (Historical Informed Practice). The music is mostly surprising, as always with CPE Bach. Especially the starting Fantasia is a piece of great freedom that clearly foreshadows the Romanticism. Ryo Terakado and Fabio Bonizzoni already recorded on Challenge Classics the Complete Sonatas for violin and harpsichord by J. S. Bach. Artalinna (FR)  So here we have the new major complete recording of these Sonatas, a landmark achievement because everything about it seems both obvious and moving.

Departure' Is the debut album from the Portland based multi-instrumentalist Kennebec. Drawing influences from the likes of Studio Ghibli, soundtrack composer Joe Hisaishi, cult hip hop artist Nujabes as well as Australia's Taylor Crawford and Tycho's ambient electronica, the 10 track album is a culmination of two years work, from Eric Phillips.