Pericoli: Cello Sonatas (6)

First recording of Pericoli's 6 Cello Sonatas.

Little is known about the life of Pasquale Pericoli, who lived and worked in the second half of the 18th century. He is known to have produced operas in Stockholm for some years, he himself claimed to be of Neapolitan origin.

His Neapolitan roots certainly are betrayed in his 6 Cello Sonatas, in which the formal structure of the Sonata (albeit in embryonic form, not yet fully developed as in the Classical Period) is imbued with melodic charm and cantabile, the cello seeming to sing instead of play.

Cellist Federico Bracalente specialised in the performance of Baroque music, playing in illustrious ensembles like the Orchestra da Camera di Mantova, and collaborates with artists such as Sara Mingardo, Alfredo Bernardini and Romina Basso.

Excellent liner notes written by a scholar, in both Italian and English.