Wigmore Hall: La Rossa (part of The A-Z of Italian Baroque)

Torelli’s music for trumpet played a significant role in the creation of the solo concerto. La Serenissima brings the energy and brio of the Italian Baroque artform to life with a scintillating programme for two trumpets and strings, complete with evergreen Vivaldi and a Bononcini showstopper.

Sinfonia in D for 2 trumpets, strings and continuo G18
Giusepe Torelli (1658 – 1709)

Concerto in G for violin, strings and continuo ‘La Tempesta di Mare’ Op. 1 No. 12
Lorenzo Gaetano Zavateri (1690 – 1764)

Sinfonia in D for 2 trumpets, 2 violins, 2 violas and continuo Op. 3 No.10
Giovanni Bononcini (1670 – 1747)

— INTERVAL —

Sinfonia in D for 2 trumpets, strings and continuo G23
Giusepe Torelli (1658 – 1709)

Concerto da chiesa in G minor for strings and continuo Op. 2 No. 5
Evaristo Felice Dall’Abaco (1675 – 1742)

Concerto in C for 2 trumpets, strings and continuo RV 537
Antonio Vivaldi (1678 – 1741)

This concert forms part of ‘The A-Z of Italian Baroque’

The composers of the Italian baroque whose music graces today’s concert programmes are relatively few and far between; Albinoni, Corelli and Vivaldi form the staple diet, with the occasional work by Scarlatti or Torelli thrown in for good measure.

In the 18th Century, things were quite different.

Many other composers were needed to fulfil the needs of the regional courts and churches. Even abroad, no court was complete without its resident Italian maestro or group of Italian string players, a situation that encouraged many Italian musicians to pursue careers north of the Alps.

Whilst some of the usual suspects are included in this series, La Serenissima, celebrating its 30th anniversary this season, features many composers whose music is seldom played today.