Another Baroque forgotten treasure.

STRADELLA Alessandro (1639-1682) is a member of the cohort of composers "Baroque" then it is forgotten behind the concept of "Concerto Grosso" that he has "bitten" his "friend" Corelli.
It is more "kind" to "beat up" on the 358 em version of a famous work that will be forgotten within 6 months. A recent version of the "Stabat Mater" by Pergolesi is a good example! While both oeuvres and unknown musicians deserve our interest.
But back to our Alessandro.
We do not know her "masters" in fact music education.
He composed six operas successful, thirty orchestral pieces and many "Oratorio" and cantatas.
Here is a man whom we can write that he led from Rome to Venice, having been in the service of Queen Christina of Sweden, a dissolute life accompanied by attempts grivèleries.
He narrowly escaped a 1676 attempted murder organized by a cuckolded husband that he had ardently! Another hitman did not miss the good in 1682 in Genoa, where he was stabbed to death a sad day in February.
Moral variable geometry but excellent musician, as was our Alessandro.
These Christmas cantatas, moreover refined while remaining in the Italian style, shine with their musical and formal originality in relation to those generated by transalpine composers of the time: VIVALDI, PASQUINI ... and others.
We do not find here the cantata structure to Johann Sebastian Bach. Simplifying, we are rather in the presence of small "oratorio".
The musical composition is removed, clean and is in the spirit of a peaceful and spirituality as "happy" ... at least in form. Paradoxically mastered a certain freshness ... given the topic we feel.
Cantatas watching, just right, slightly worm très..très opera.
It must be recognized that for this excellent capture (technical and musical) dating from 1989/1990, we are dealing with the fine world.
The side of soloists, a poignant Barbara Schlick, Christoph PREGARDIEN best and Michaël SCHOPPER low inspiré.pour name a few.
And what about the beautiful "La Stagione Frankfurt" led magnificently by Michael Schneider.
So a great and original capture Italian Baroque sacred music ... and that may well go unnoticed.
Do not deprive yourself.
A beautiful musical moment.
Recommended.
Happy listening.