Album: Paisiello in Vienna

This original concept CD presents one of the most popular opera arias in early 19th century Vienna, “Nel cor più non mi sento”, from Paisiello’s opera L’amor contrastato, as the basis of variation works by a variety of composers: Bortolazzi, Hummel, Giuliani, Wanhal and Beethoven. The aria, in its powerful simplicity, lends itself very well for the variation form and it was gratefully used as a means of instrumental display of brilliance and invention. The basic instrumental ensemble used on this recording is mandolin, guitar and fortepiano, fashionable instruments at that time. The musicians play on historic instruments: Alon Sariel plays a 1850 mandolin, Izhar Elias plays a 1812 Guadagnini guitar and the Bohm 1820 fortepiano is played by Michael Tsalka. The excellent liner notes are written by the musicians.
Reviews
4 stars in NRC: Paisiello in Vienna is a CD which makes you happy.
The performance on historical instruments is sparkling.
4 stars in Telegraaf: the subtle performances take the music to a higher level
Nederlands Dagblad:+ beautiful, thematic program, + easy listening music, + very good performance
8 points in Luister Magazine: It is a CD completely played on historical instruments, which feels like a visit to a late 18th century concert in a saloon. A commendable way to bring an era to life.
Klassieke Zaken: It is cutting edge musicianship.
Review ‘Paisiello in Vienna’ in www.magazin.klassik.com
Pizzicato, Luxembourg: … delikat-charmantes wie gelungenes Programm, das, von einem beherzten Musizieren belebt, sehr anregend wirkt.
Le Babillard, France: Raout viennois dans un salon 1800
Le joueur du Luth, France: A une sonorité naturellement suave, il ajoute un jeu de couleurs chatoyant et registré avec bon goût.