Album insights
Over the last three decades, there has been a significant increase in the popularity of Baroque music, a genre composed between 1600 and 1750. Vivaldi's Four Seasons has emerged as a top favorite, while Pachelbel's Canon and "Albinoni's Adagio" have found their marked spots on CD shelves. Bach's Air provides a soothing musical backdrop for a famous TV commercial, and Charpentier's Te Deum has become the recognized theme of Eurovision!
The renewed interest in this repertoire has been further fueled by the use of 18th-century instruments, reviving performance techniques of the past in a way that many listeners find invigorating and refreshing. Adding to this is the structural resemblance of many of these compositions to popular music of the 20th century, characterized by a strong bass element, regular rhythms, repeated structures (and unforgettable melodies), often bringing us close to the realm of jazz through gestures and embellishments.
Particularly notable are musical forms like the Rondeau (a piece with a recurring theme) and the Ground Bass, Passacaglia, and Chaconne, frequently featured in recordings. This collection of "Baroque Pops" reflects my personal favorites, some well-known and others waiting to be discovered. All pieces, except the second one, are presented in new recordings created specifically for this compilation, a logistical challenge nonetheless. The program's arrangement, tailored for the listener, offers a varied sequence for continuous listening pleasure (if desired!).