Albinoni is an Italian composer of the late Baroque era. The Baroque era, 1600 to 1750, is used musically to describe a period in music in which the techniques used and expression achieved share similar characteristics. An important characteristic of the Baroque era is the use of contrasts; loud and soft, fast and slow, solo and tutti (all instruments).
Adagio an Italian word translated to English as slow. Albinoni used slow movements to provide a contrast to faster movements. He is credited with being the first Italian composer to use three movements for a concerto. A concerto being a genre of music, in which a small group of players is set against a much larger group thereby providing the contrasts of soft and loud, solo and tutti. The usual pattern of concerto is three movements - fast – slow – fast.
This CD is a compilation of Albinoni’s slower movements released on the Elektra label on the 24th August 1999. It has a running time of 1 hour 15 minutes and costs £6.99. I purchased my copy from Borders but the CD should be available at most good music shops.
The Composer Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni was born on 8th June 1671 in Venice Italy, the eldest son of a wealthy paper merchant. A renowned violinist and composer, he preferred to work “dilettante” rather than seek employment with the church or court. Albinoni married an opera singer, Margherita Raimondi. Apart from this, not much more is actually known of Albinoni's life.
In all Albinoni composed 81 operas, 99 sonatas, 59, concertos and 9 sinfonias. However, so much of his musical work has been lost particularly during the latter years of World War II and the bombing of the Dresden State library.
Albinoni was to die in 1751, in his beloved Venice.
The Music
The CD contains 23 of Albinoni’s slower movements taken from his concertos and sonatas. Many are adagios, others are andante (walking pace), Larghetto (quite slowly). All though are slow in tempo. The overall effect is that of a slow serenity.
The first track on the CD is the popular Adagio for Organ and Strings in G minor. This piece, however, had little to do with the compositions of Albinoni. It was constructed from a fragment by the 20th century musicologist Remo Giazotto who holds the copyright. Here, it is played a little faster than a lot of the other versions available. Each individual instruments is heard clearly and brightly. It is an absolutely delightful rendition of a favourite piece of music albeit not Albinoni’s own and provides an appropriate introduction to the rest of the music – actual Albinoni.
Many of the tracks are concertos for solo violins against the typical larger string orchestra of violin, viola, cello and continuo (tracks 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20). The continuo instrument, usually being a harpsichord or organ. The baroque era is dominated by the use of strings and here they can be appreciated for their outstanding qualities. The adagios are slow, smooth and serene decorated with trills and turns. Albinoni was also credited for being the first Italian composer of Oboe concertos. A number of the tracks on the album feature solo oboes against the larger string orchestra (tracks 4, 7, 10, 13). Albinoni's uses the oboe almost like a singer creating a lyrical and pleasant melody to the accompanying strings.
Also on the album are three sonatas (tracks 21, 22 and 23) . A term used to denote a piece that to be sounded (played) only as opposed to cantata (to be sung). These are played by the usual string combination of violin, 2 violas and continuo.
The Composer Claudio Scimone is the Founder and Director of the world-famous ensemble I Solisti Veneti who perform on this CD and is perhaps better known for his connection with Renaissance music. It is largely thanks to Scimone, that Albinoni’s works are known today.
My thoughts This CD is perfect to reduce the effects of our 21st century stressful lives. It is wonderful played to relax with curled up in a comfy armchair or soaking in a luxurious bath.
It provides an ideal background music to which to study or meditate.
The CD does not provide a true representation of Albinoni’s works rather a compilation of “greatest hits”. The seamless progression from one slow movement to another is a brilliant idea allowing the listener to relax – a condition so sought after today. To fully appreciate the music as Albinoni intended, the full concerto though should be heard in its entirity.
However, it has to be acknowledged that it is very difficult to find many recordings of Albinoni's concertos in full, so this does provide opportunity to sample this music. Better than nothing, I suppose.
I find it sad that the greatest attraction on Albinoni’ s Adagios, “Adagio for Organ and Strings in G minor”, is not in fact composed by Albinoni. However, once this track is past, a treasure of true Albinoni is revealed.
The music is a joy to listen to.
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