Album insights
Domenico Scarlatti, born as the sixth of Alessandro Scarlatti's ten children, is primarily acclaimed for his significant body of music composed for keyboard instruments, totaling around 550 sonatas. While most of his operas, along with a majority of his oratorios and cantatas, have been lost to time, it was not until he turned thirty-two that Domenico could break free from his father's overpowering influence, with a court decree finally liberating him. His sacred compositions, crafted during his tenure as Maestro di Cappella at the Basilica Giulia in Rome from 1713 to 1719, demonstrated harmonic richness and melodic distinctiveness that would later define his works for keyboards. In his sacred music, Scarlatti blended emotive religious texts with operatic touches, showcasing both accessibility and solid compositional technique.
Alessandro Scarlatti, a prolific composer of over six hundred recognized cantatas, stood out as a master in the eighteenth century, despite the genre being considered secondary to opera. His works, often scored for solo voice accompanied by a continuo, occasionally included additional instrumental accompaniment to reflect the evolving trends of his time. "Su le sponde del Tebro" presents a challenging voice for the trumpet, showcasing unrequited love through a mix of arias and recitatives, highlighting Scarlatti's mastery. Similarly, Johann Adolf Hasse, known for his fame in Italy and Germany, displayed a dexterous blend of lyrical style influenced by his tenor background and a flair for operatic composition. His rendition of "Salve regina" exemplified elegance and operatic stylings while retaining a natural and intelligent approach to vocal music.
The composition "Salve regina" also featured prominently in Hasse's works, presenting a mix of captivating melodies and skilled vocal passages. Meanwhile, Alessandro Scarlatti's cantata "Infirmata vulnerata" delves into the melancholic tale of unrequited love, transitioning to a somewhat hopeful outlook. Scarlatti's Christmas cantata, "O di Betlemme altera," depicting the birth of Christ, was likely commissioned as part of a musical tradition, reflecting a rich tapestry of Baroque expressions and pastoral beauty. Through these diverse compositions, Scarlatti and Hasse, along with their unique styles and thematic explorations, have left enduring legacies in the realm of Baroque music.