Search - Marco Uccellini, The Arcadian Academy, Nicholas McGegan :: Uccellini: La Bergamasca- Sonate ed arie a violini e basso (Sonatas & Arias for Violins & Bass)

Something Beautiful from out of the Mists of Time!

N. Cook | 06/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was driving home one day with the radio on and I was transfixed by what I was hearing - it turned out to be the first track from this recording "Aria Quinta" from Uccellini's "La Bergamasca." I knew that I had heard something great so I immediately found and bought the album. "Aria Quinta" is a set of variations on a theme that flow together fluidly into a homogenous whole and I have to say it is a masterful work. Its gorgeous airiness reminds you of Pacbell's Canon in D. The theme upon which the variations are spun is very catchy and each variation compliments the preceding one such that the work repeats itself but never "repeats itself," instead winding along its way as if it were not a set of variations. It is truly a beautiful piece.



All the other tracks reveal Uccellini to be a man of sensitivity and inventiveness. Each one has the same aforementioned airiness which comes from a combination of the writing and instrumentation (two violins supported by cello and archlute/guitar), though the airiness never loses its grounding in Uccellini's serious, skilled and knowledgeable writing. He definitely had an intriguing and unique musical personality and is well worth getting to know. This is a very different Baroque from Bach and Vivaldi and that is one of its refreshing charms - I enthusiastically recommend it!"