Alessandro Scarlatti - A. Scarlatti: Alto Cantatas (LP)

Immerse yourself in the rich Baroque era with Alessandro Scarlatti's "Alto Cantatas," a captivating collection of vocal and instrumental works released on Brilliant Classics in 2014. This album showcases Scarlatti's mastery of the alto cantata form, blending operatic drama with the intimacy of chamber music. The disc opens with a concerto in C Minor for flute, two violins, and continuo, setting a dramatic tone that carries through to the subsequent works. Scarlatti's compositional prowess is evident in the varied structures and emotional depth of the pieces, from the intricate fugues to the lyrical arias. The album also features two sonatas a quattro, adding a contrasting instrumental dimension to the vocal cantatas. Scarlatti's ability to convey a range of human emotions through his music makes this album a compelling exploration of the Baroque era's expressive power. With a total runtime of just over an hour, this album offers a concise yet rich journey through Scarlatti's musical genius.