Virtuosic Turns Solo sonatas by Benedetto Marcello, reviewed by GERALD FENECH Old Dominion University    ODU 3664

Benedetto Marcello (1686-1739) was a politician by profession, but as a valid composer, he often wrote music for weekly academies. Over the course of time, his talents as a musician superseded his political acumen, and many of his works were freely transcribed and arranged by such giants as J S Bach, Rossini, Verdi and Bizet, not to mention a host of others, both during his lifetime and after his death.

His language is highly expressive and he had a natural instinct at communicating mood and emotion. The six sonatas on this disc were published late in his life but were probably written much earlier. The First Sonata is particularly expressive and interesting in its change of dynamics.

Originally conceived for cello, the sonatas translate easily to other instruments, particularly the 'low brass' genre. Sonata No 3 is also quite impressive with its beautiful melody and virtuosic turns.

Mike Hall and Rebecca Bell bring their assured professionalism to the cause with sound quality that is clear and immediate. The only disappointment is that the package comes with almost no notes which is a bit of a shame.

Record Box is Music & Vision's regular series of shorter CD reviews