Cello Concertos

BIS Baroque is series of 15 discs containing music by 17 different composers of the Baroque era recorded by some of the leading musicians in the field of historical performance.

"Uno splendido disco." CD Classica

Many a composer of the baroque period has undeservedly fallen into oblivion. A case in point is Leonardo Leo, who in his life-time (1694-1744) and well into the 19th century was regarded as one of the great Italian masters. On this disc Hidemi Suzuki proves an eloquent advocate for a composer whose extensive production consists mainly of sacred music, oratorios and operas. Among the instrumental works included in Leo's oeuvre are the six cello concertos recorded here.

Mostly composed in 1737, possibly in a response to a commission from the Duke of Maddaloni, they represent an early attempt to liberate the cello from its usual role as a bass instrument. Leo instead exploits to the full the instrument's rich tone in singing, expressive melodies. And
with the help of a recording judged as "exemplary" by several reviewers, Hidemi Suzuki and the Orchestra 'Van Wassenaer' in their turn do full justice to what are undoubtedly some of the most original and well-crafted works of their kind, thereby rescuing them from their undeserved fate.