Presents

Benedetto Marcello

Sonata 1 Soundbite 1 Soundbite 2

Sonata 2 Soundbite 1 Soundbite 2

Sonata 3 Soundbite 1 Soundbite 2

Sonata 4 Soundbite 1 Soundbite 2

Sonata 5 Soundbite 1 Soundbite 2

Sonata 6 Soundbite 1 Soundbite 2

Six Sonatas for Violoncello and Piano, Op.1

Benedetto Marcello (1686-1739) was born in the Italian city of Venice. As a member of the nobility, his father expected him to study law and not to become a musician. Nevertheless, he did both, combining a career as a magistrate and a composer.

His Six Sonatas, despite the Opus 1 given to them by his publisher, were rather late works dating from 1730. They became quite popular and received several other editions, notably those in Amsterdam, Paris and London, all of which labeled the sonatas as Opus 2. Each of the sonatas in in four movements, written in a straight forward manner, They replete with appealing melodies and make quite effective recital pieces. The sonatas were originally published with a basso continuo part, but by the 19th century the practice of doubling the bass line was no longer necessary as the bass register of the piano was much stronger than its predescessors and the sonatas were from that point forward performed as modern sonatas.

These sonatas are not only historically important because they are among the finest from the Baroque era, they are valuable in their own right and deserve a regular place on cellists' recital programs. We offer all each separately and all six at a very attractive price.