Recordings

World premiere recording of violin and cello sonatas by Albinoni, Bigaglia, Caldara, Gentili, and Reali

• “Sensibilità e finezza di gusto non meno che inventiva e ricchezza di intenzioni interpretative, sostanziate da un ammirevole nitore del segno strumentale, caratterizzano questo nuovo album di Scaramuccia dove ci si occupa di una Venezia altra” (Cesare Fertonani, MusicPaper)
• “Scaramuccia differentiates the playing so much that it definitely conveys feelings, feelings of joy as well as feelings of sadness or deep melancholy […] At the same time, the purely instrumental and the compositional, the concern for tonal balance and the greatest possible transparency, as well as the dance-like, do not fall by the wayside. The musicians employ such an arsenal of colors and nuances of all kinds that one can only rejoice in this variety. And yet nothing seems to be sought or done in this gesture to dazzle: One feels only the sincere love that the musicians bring to the material.” (Remy Franck, Pizzicato)
• “The combination of music of high quality and outstanding performances, and the fact that we have here largely unfamiliar repertoire, justifies a special recommendation. This disc, accompanied by a booklet with informative liner-notes by Michael Talbot and a list of sources, will undoubtedly be a strong contender for my list of recordings of the year.” (Johan van Veen, musica Dei donum)
• This wonderfully presented recording takes us back to the famous musical city at the very turn of the 18th century, before it became synonymous with just a single composer’s works […] the perfect phrasing and understanding of the stylistic elements on display makes for an informed and beautifully balanced approach to these incipient contributions by “significant” others in this “other” Venice. (David Belliger, Early Music Review)

• “Originele muziek, onbekend, maar niet tweederangs, uitstekend uitgevoerd” (Nederlands dagblad)

• “Het Venetië van die dagen was een internationaal brandpunt van culturen, waarin innovatie en experiment met nieuwe vormen alleszins gebruikelijk was. Getuige de fraaie, gelukkig nu herontdekte werken op de CD van Scaramuccia.” (Vrije Geluiden, NPO Klassiek)

World premiere recording of newly discovered sonatas by Johann Georg Pisendel

• When baroque music is so convincingly and attractively presented it is hard to resist the charms and delights which begin with the booklet cover details of the delicate Chinese porcelain designs for a service made in the 1730s for the Dresden ruler. Images of dragon and phoenix together were traditionally used at marriages; here the marriage of Scaramuccia and Pisendel, a felicitous meeting worthy of attention and sincere accolades. (Early Music Review)

• Deze inventief gecomponeerde sonates komen in de snelle delen uiterst spiritueel en sprankelend tot leven, terwijl de langzame delen juist gekenmerkt worden door warme lyriek en beschouwing. En dat met een technische beheersing die groot respect afdwingt. De opname is eveneens een juweel. (Opus Klassiek)

• After a recording with likewise little-known works, the three musicians of Scaramuccia also show a lively performance of Pisendel, which, on the basis of sophisticated technique, enables the listener to understand the mature compositional technique and intensity of musical expression. The fact that the violinist sometimes has to act almost virtuosically, but can also create expressive slow passages, makes the many fine aspects of the score audible. In keeping with its name, the ensemble ventures into this little fray and wins it with a nimble bow and intense sound. (Pizzicato)

• Unas lecturas de muy alto nivel (Scherzo, enero 2021)

• “Helemaal ondergedompeld in het gevoel van toen, is de praline die u ontvangt toch wel de CD die echt smaakt zoals het moet; energiek zoet, vol, met kleine fijne toetsen van specerijen… en af en toe die ene smaak die u langzaam laat smelten op uw tong.” (Cultuurpakt.be)

• This is all brilliantly done. These strongly gestural performances, with marked differentiation in tempo and dynamics, are outright exciting. Lupiáñez is an outstanding violinist, and receives excellent support from Inés Salinas and Patrícia Vintém. The latter delivers a fine performance of the harpsichord sonata. I was impressed by Scaramuccia’s first recording, “1717 – Memories of a Journey to Italy”, and this disc is a worthy sequel. Its importance cannot be overrated. (musica Dei donum).

Works by Vivaldi, Albinoni, Montanari, Valentini, Fanfani (world premiere), and Pisendel (world premiere)

• 2019 ICMA awards nomination as best baroque instrumental music recording.
• “La connaissance indéniable que Javier Lupiáñez a de ce répertoire lui permet une liberté et une autorité remarquables dans son approche : agile, créatif, inspiré, il fait magnifiquement goûter les milles saveurs de ces partitions qui, vues sur leurs deux pentagrammes, cachent souvent leurs mystères. Ses complices de Scaramuccia – Inés Salinas au violoncelle et Patricia Vintem au clavecin – l’accompagnent avec énergie, fantaisie et finesse.” (Olivier Fourés, Diapason, March, 2021)
• “I am very impressed by this disc, not only because of the way the programme has been put together, but also the quality of the music selected for this recording and the way it is played. The performances are technically impeccable, stylish and imaginative. The phrasing and articulation are excellent, and there is a nice dynamic shading. The ornamentation is generous, but never exaggerated.
  Recently I have reviewed several outstanding discs with baroque violin music, and this is another one lovers of the baroque violin should definitely not miss.” Johan van Veen (musica Dei donum 2018)
• “Esta música es excelente, por lo que no hace falta preguntarse por qué Pisendel la metió en valija y se la llevó consigo a Dresde. La interpretación de Scaramuccia es tan deslumbrante como la propia música. Discazo.” Eduardo Torrico (Scherzo, Dec. 2108)
• “Die verschiedenen Kompositionen werden mit musikantischer Frische und Versiertheit sowie einer mitreißenden Technik dargeboten. Die Musiker von ‘Scaramuccia’, allen voran der Geiger Javier Lupianez, spielen dabei mit einer kraftvollen Gestik auf. Die vielen effektvollen Details der Partitur werden mit Raffinesse herausgearbeitet und mit großem Engagement ausgeführt. Fresh and vivid performances in a natural lifelike sound quality.” Pizzicato, 11 Nov. 2018
• 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Clearly, this is demanding music – Javier Lupiáñez combines a fine bowing arm with some nifty fingerwork, seemingly undaunted by the technical challenges, while his continuo partners provide stylishly supportive accompaniment. It is a sobering thought that these six extremely fine works represent only the tip of the tip of the iceberg that is Pisendel’s library of works gathered from his Italian contacts – that the library in Dresden has made them all available online is encouraging groups like Scaramuccia (who have even established their own recording company to produce this CD!) to explore the vast riches which it contains. Given the high standards set here, I hope it will not be too long before we hear more from them!” Brian Clark, Early Music Review
• 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Discos Recomendados” “Estamos ante muy buena música en manos de excelentes intérpretes.” “La presentación del disco es exquisita, con un excelente libreto en castellano (¡cosa de agradecer!) e inglés. Las notas al disco están muy bien trabajadas (¡cómo se nota que Javier Lupiáñez es también musicólogo!). La toma de sonido es sorprendentemente nítida y natural y los miembros del grupo (con instrumentos barrocos) suenan bien cohesionados.” Ángel Villagrasa, Melómano
• “Fascinating CD”… “They are technically outstanding and balanced with rare sensitivity” Brian Robins, Early Music Review
• “Javier Lupiáñez’s enthusiastic violin playing in the Largo, Allegro and Tempo Giusto is first class.” Michael Schwartz, The Whole Note

• The performances are consistently persuasive and full of flair and sensitivity. (…)The notes are first class and full of illuminating detail and the whole disc shows how fine musicality and investigative historical research can pay real rewards. Jonathan Woolf , Musicweb

Newly discovered sonatas by Antonio Vivaldi

• This disc is not just one of many. This is a major addition to the Vivaldi discography.” […] This disc is a model of sincere and intelligent music-making.” – Johan van Veen. Musica Dei donum
• “L’interprétation remarquable de l’ensemble Scarumuccia et le magnifique son du soliste Javier Lupianez” – W.L. Péché Classique
• “Le programme des «nuove Sonate» pour violon interprétées brillamment par Javier Lupiáñez accompagné par l’ensemble Scaramuccia” – Studi Vivaldiani, 2016
• ¨La excelente demostración violinística de Lupiáñez y el no menos excelente acompañamiento que le dispensan sus compañeros¨ – E. Torrico, Scherzo, 2016

More information about the pieces here

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to thank from the bottom of our heart to all those who have contributed to the recording of this CD by supporting our crowdfunding campaign.

Scaramuccia is grateful for the support of the Eudemnoist Society (EudemonistSociety.org), Maribel Ruiz and Francisco Lupiáñez, Stichting Gilles Hondius, Gravin van Bylandt Stichting, and Het Fonds voor de Geld- en Effectenhandel in the production of this CD.