Wolfgang Brunner - Sorkocevic: Symphonies (2004)

Dubrovnik, this real pearl on the Adriatic, was for 400 years one of the most important city republics in the Mediterranean region, significant for its mediation between the Balkans and - through close political relations - Western Europe. After the catastrophic earthquake of 1667, the city was rebuilt by the middle of the 18th century - and also expanded, so that Luka's creative period Sorkocˇevic' (1734-1789) coincided with the "second ascent" of the city. Sorkocˇevic' (Italianized: Sorgo) was the offspring of one of the most powerful patrician families, received an excellent education both in Dubrovnik and abroad and above all showed musical talent, which was deepened through composition studies. He went into the civil service and held various legal and diplomatic administrative posts at the highest level. During his time as ambassador in Vienna he met Gluck, Haydn and Mozart. In addition to all these activities, however, he still found time to compose: his extremely charming seven symphonies, for example, form the basic repertoire of the "Zagreb Soloists" to this day. So it is high time to make this enchanting, lively music on historical instruments at home with us: The Salzburg court music under Wolfgang Brunner succeeds in this masterfully!