MONDONVILLE Trio Sonatas Op 2
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville
Genre:
Chamber
Magazine Review Date: 02/2017
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 67
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: ADX13707
Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Sonates en trio |
Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville, Composer
Ensemble Diderot Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville, Composer |
Author: Lindsay Kemp
It is not just Mondonville’s portrait that suggests companionability. Like Leclair, he added French manners to the Corellian four-movement sonata format, though his habit of making third movements rather sweet little airs instead of the more traditional harmonic wring-out suggests that he did not really want to let things get too serious. There are some awkward corners, especially in the fugues, but in general the music is pleasant enough. Also shared with Leclair, however, is Mondonville’s taste for stretching the violinists’ technique, double-stopping being particularly prominent.
Ensemble Diderot made their recording at Royaumont Abbey in a somewhat hollow acoustic which can be both unforgiving towards intonation and harmful to mellifluousness, especially when there are double-stops to battle with. Two violins are used for Sonatas Nos 1, 2, 4 and 6, but in Nos 3 and 5, where the second part avoids double-stops, a flute takes it over, and it is noticeable how its more liquid sound can help smooth things over. But if in some ways this is not always the most refined of products, there is nimble expertise and good spirit here nevertheless.
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