J. S. Bach (1685-1750)
B minor Mass
J. Lunn, L. Crowe, J. Lezhneva, B. Staskiewicz: sopranos
N. Stutzmann, T. Wey: altos
C. Balzer, M. Brutscher: tenors
C. Immer, L. Tittoto: basses
Les Musiciens du Louvre - Marc Minkowski
Naive Classique
2008
G. F. Handel (1685-1759)
The Complete Recorder Sonatas
Erik Bosgraaf, recorders - Francesco Corti, harpsichord
BRILLIANT CLASSICS
music.brilliantclassics.com/epages/joan.storefront/494648c90071408f271fd5d385f406bf/Product/View/93792
G. F. Handel (1685-1759)
Music for the Royal Fireworks and 3 Concerti a due Cori
Zefiro - Alfredo Bernardini
SONY - DHM
Giulio Caccini (1551-1618)
L'Euridice
Scherzi Musicali - Nicolas Achten
RICERCAR
2007
Louis Couperin (1626 - 1661): Suites for Harpsichord [GEN 87090]
Recorded on the Ioannes Ruckers harpsichord (1632/1745) in Neuchâtel (CH).
Suite in C major
Suite in E minor
Chaconne ou Passacaille in G minor
Suite in A minor
Suite in F major
www.genuin.de
"... The tour begins with a musical pilgrimage to the world of Louis Couperin by the Italian Francesco Corti, a recent winner of both the International Bach Competition at Leipzig (2006) and Bruges (2007). His Suites for Harpsichord by Louis Couperin (Genuin GEN 87090, rec 2007, 73'), which comprise four suites and the Chaconne and Passacaille in G minor, were performed on an original Ruckers, an instrument that is a hybrid of styles and traditions. The harpsichord, now housed at the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire at Neuchâtel in Switzerland, was made in 1632 by Ioannes Ruckers with one manual and 45 keys. By a process known as the grand ravalement, the instrument, like many of its kind, was radically rebuilt in 1745 by an unknown Parisian maker, who added an additional manual and an expanded compass. However, the 17th-century characteristics are still very much in evidence, in particular the original low pitch (a = 392Hz) and the characteristic grainy texture for which Ruckers instruments were noted. The meantone tuning helps to bring out the full flavour of the harmonic piquancy in pieces such as La piémontoise (no.19), in which the composer makes daring use of augmented chords.
Corti presents an intricately crafted performance with a wide range of expressions. The two Passacailles (nos.7 and 13) and the Chaconne (no.28), for example, are beautifully rendered in a reflective mood, less rhythmically driven than we are accustomed to hearing. Slow tempos as such make their best effect in echoey acoustics. In contrast, his arresting opening to the ‘Froberger’ prelude (no.14) brings to mind the toccata style of a later time than that of Froberger and Frescobaldi, whose latter's preface (1615–16) suggests a broader opening gesture. However, this is an unusual piece, and certainly warrants this unusual interpretation from Corti. Some might frown upon his waits and slowing downs, which at times threaten to interrupt the impetus in pieces such as the C major Passacaille (no.7), but on the whole the performance is very enjoyable and filled with youthful exuberance."
David Chung "Clavecin music from France and Belgium"
Early Music, 2008 36(4)
"...he is clearly an outstanding young player... Corti finds a convincing path through the préludes non mesurés and chooses sensible tempi for the dances... in the grand moments especially the playing is impressive and often manages to avoid the obvious without becoming eccentric."
Early Music
"Dass Corti ein versierter, stilsicherer, auch technisch souveräner Musiker ist, wird bereits nach wenigen Takten klar. Sein Spiel ist klar strukturiert, originell in den improvisationsartigen Préludes, und auch die ausgewogene, brillante Klangaufnahme verleiht der Aufnahme einen 'noblen' Charakter."
Deutschlandfunk - Die neue Platte
"...Corti plays [...] with elegance and a rather youthful coolness. He clearly relishes the sound of the instrument and lets sonorities radiate..."
Musical Pointers
"Superb Playing."
Crotchet
"Francesco Corti livre l’un des plus fins Couperin que votre amble serviteur ait eu l’occasion d’entendre... le jeu de Corti, et la qualité idéale de l’enregistrement, m’ont musicalement ébloui !"
Clic Musique
2006
Georg Friederich Haendel (1685-1759).
Music for the Royal Fireworks and 3 Concerti a due Cori
Ensemble Zefiro - dir. Alfredo Bernardini
recording to be published by Amadeus in April 2008
www.amadeusonline.net
"Espressioni delle Venezie", Venezia all'epoca di Claudio Monteverdi
Le Petit Rien (Francesca Thompson, recorder/Francesco Corti, harpsichord)
Music by D. Castello, G. Bassano, C. Merulo, M. Uccellini
Azzurra Music, Pastrengo (VR)