CHRISTOPH SCHAFFRATH (1709 - 1763)

 

Duetto für zwei Violen da Gamba-ré d minor

1 Poco Allegro

2 Adagio

3 Allegro  

 

Sonate für Violada Gamba und Basso Continuo-si bémol B major

4 Adagio  

5 Allegro  

6 Allegretto

 

Sonate für Viola da Gamba und obligates Cembalo-la A major

7 Allegretto

8 Adagio

9 Allegretto

 

Sonata für Viola da Gamba, Violino, Violoncello und Cembalo-la A major

10 Adagio

11 Allegretto  

12 Allegro

 

The viola da gamba – an instrument emblematic of the repertoire between 1550 and 1750 – came to be threatened by the development of the cello, and the contest between the two became an aesthetic issue, amplified by the quarrels between French and Italian tastes.

 

Guido Balestracci has chosen to record music by Schaffrath – a composer belonging to the Berlin School that grew up around Frederick II of Prussia. The gamba was still flourishing there in 1750, and Schaffrath created a paradox in writing music prefiguring the Classical style that was intended for so conservative an instrument.

 

The works of Christoph Schaffrath have never been recorded before. Now he is rediscovered by Guido Balestracci, who proves an ideal defender: the virtuosity and sensuality of his playing are instantly appealing.

 

Zig Zag Territoires ZZT050401