Sammartini / Mapelli / Prina / Guadagnini Sacred Cantatas CD

On this recording both cantatas follow a similar design, being scored for soprano, alto (originally castratos), and tenor soloists accompanied by a standard "pre-Classical" orchestra of pairs of oboes and horns, strings, and continuo. The structure, too, is identical, with an opening Sinfonia followed by a semi-dramatized alternation of secco recitative and aria, with a concluding coro or trio, neither of which, pace Naxos's notes, is predominantly contrapuntal. In didactic purpose and in form they are what would have been termed oratorios in the previous century. The style of the writing is advanced, already very much of the pre-Classical kind that would influence the young Mozart when he visited Italy 20 years later (Sammartini was apparently friendly toward Leopold and Wolfgang when they visited Milan). In the overtures there is something of the "spirit and fire" that Burney found "peculiar to the author," while Sammartini's harmonies are a constant source of interest, frequently taking quite bold paths. With one exception, that of the Virgin Mary in Maria addolorata ("The sorrowing Mary"), which is cast in repeated AB form with a concluding stretto, the arias are large-scale da capo structures.

1. Introduzione (Sinfonia) 2. Recitativo I: Figlio, Ah Figlio Ove Sei? 3. Aria Di Cleofe: Ahmen Potesse Chiudere (Contralto) 4. Recitativo II: Forse Cleofe Credi 5. Aria Di Giovanni: Rupe in Mar, Se Irato Frema (Tenore) 6. Recitativo III: Cleofe, Giovanni, Ah Voi 7. Aria Della Beata Vergine: Il Caro Suo Pegno (Soprano) 8. Recitativo IV: L'uomo, Te Stessa, E 'l Ciel Madre Rimira 9. Coro Finale: Col Magnanimo Consiglio (Terzetto) 10. Introduzione (Sinfonia) 11. Recitativo I: Potessi Almen Col Sangue 12. Aria Di Giacomo: N'empie D'orrore (Contralto) 13. Recitativo II: O Voi Felici Nel Dolore! 14. Aria Di Pietro: Porto Il Rimorso Al Fianco (Tenore) 15. Recitativo III: Infelice! Che Ascolto? 16. Aria Di Giovanni: Da Tenebroso Velo (Soprano) 17. Recitativo IV: Dunque Giova Sperar? 18. Coro Finale: Perche Buon Dio T'involi? (Terzetto)