Virtuoso Music for Two Harpsichords

Bernardo Pasquini (1637-1710) was the harpsichord virtuoso in Rome at the time of Alessandro Scarlatti and Arcangelo Corelli. His 14 sonatas a due cimbali are suitable for virtuoso extemporizing due to their special structure: the composer did not write out the harpsichord part, but only the figured basses, occasionally numbered to indicate the desired harmonies, so that the players are largely free to perform the actual harpsichord part. A real treat for two thoroughbred harpsichordists such as Attilio Cremonesi and Alessandro de Marchi, who were able to give free rein to their unbridled musical and improvisational passion on this recording in 1991.