A Roman Christmas Various 1999 CD Top-quality Free UK shipping

This thoughtfully sequenced anthology presents different aspects of Christmas as celebrated during the High Baroque in Rome. Alessandro Stradella’s Sonata in D major for Trumpet and Strings, is the earliest work, forming a link between the pastoral folk tradition, and the slightly later composers who where members of such institutions as the Accademia dell’ Arcadia. Scarlatti and Corelli where two such composers, with Corelli’s Concerto Grosso in G Minor becoming famous for its use as accompaniment to the shepherd’s drama during Christmas Eve Mass. Scarlatti’s Cantata Pastorale forms the centrepiece of this concert, and is a beguiling work for strings, continuo and soprano; an example of a new and more directly emotional form of church music, Maya Boog’s performance has an appropriately lucid and joyful beauty. The collection is completed by oboe concertos by Marcello and Albinoni, the result being an elegant and reflective concert. –Gary S. Dalkin