Noble melancholy
S. Gustafson | New Albany, IN USA | 12/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Before the late, galante Baroque familiar to drive-time classical music listeners, usually in the form of Vivaldi, there was a romantic Baroque. Romantic Baroque sought expressiveness in the midst of its contrapuntal intensity. J. S. Bach is a familiar late example of this deeply-felt Baroque intensity. Geminiani is another example who deserves a wider audience.
He gets just a footnote in the textbooks because he was not responsible for major technical innovations. His contemporaries referred to him as 'Il Furibondo,' sensing a certain wildness in his rhythmic and melodic intentions. This is not Baroque music for the dinner, the bathtub, or the drive home. This is Baroque music that demands your attention.
The concerti in minor keys display the most inspired melodies, and fortunately they predominate. Their contrapuntal depth is always several layers deeper than you'll hear in Vivaldi. The several reprises in Op. 3, no. 6, and the unusual gigue of the final Allegro will strike you with their inventiveness, as will the remarkable opening and fugato of the G minor No. 2.
This is a good performance and recording of these remarkable works. Geminiani is a composer who will serve you well to enoble your melancholy moods."