Musica Pacifica - Mancini: Concerti da Camera (2000)

This recording serves as a wonderful sound bite from Naples in the early 18th century, when it was a hotbed of far-reaching musical developments. Francesco Mancini's Concerti da camera, or chamber concertos, both register those developments and capture the excitement of that moment. They are, strictly speaking, neither solo concertos nor concerti grossi (which consist of several featured instruments against the backdrop of a larger string ensemble). Mancini drew freely from both types of concertos and also looked to opera and church music, and the resulting works show a wonderful mix of styles. The gracious slow movements owe a debt to Handel, while certain fast movements, such as the last movement of Sonata No. 10 in B-flat Major, anticipate the frothy textures of the comic operas of Pergolesi, Mancini's younger fellow Neapolitan. Featured in several of the concertos, the recorder is often given the most lyrical passages. Musica Pacifica's Judith Linsenberg breathes these melodies with a lovely, controlled tone, and is supported by a terrifically coordinated ensemble of musicians.