Gabrielli: La Nascita del Violoncello / Bruno Cocset

The cello came to prominence in the eighteenth century by supplanting the viol as both a solo instrument and a favored choice for continuo support. The cello's impressive range and wide variety of tonal colors has inspired composers ever since. Bruno Cocset leads the ensemble Les Basses Réunies in a recording that takes us back to the origins of the cello and to the instrument's early repertoire. In addition to a 136-page book, it features music of Domenico Gabrielli as well as Giovanni Battista Vitali, Giovanni Battista Degli Antoni and Giuseppe Jacchini, whose works look firmly towards the Enlightenment.

American Record Guide, July / August 2012
This is a highly entertaining production carried out with virtuosity and imagination. The music we are dealing with is not the deepest of its kind - all the more justification for coloring it up for entertainment purposes. The purpose of the program appears to be half to show off the versatility of the cellist and half to show off Riche's ability in instrument building. Comparing this production to Tunnicliffe leaves me feeling that they both have their virtues and vices. Tunnicliffe is not as lively or colorful a performer, but he is much more respectful of the music as written. Cocset doesn't hesitate to play games with the music, bouncing his bow to such an extent that you can't tell what notes he is playing. On the other hand, he plays with great energy and keeps you interested where Tunnicliffe does not. Also, the contrast of instruments is recorded more clearly, though Tunnicliffe also uses several different ones to good effect. I am happy to have both recordings, not only for their different approaches, but for the little-known pieces that are included. But if I had to choose one, it would be the more colorful Cocset. The sonatas by Jacchini are little gems, as are the Vitali pieces.

Notes & Reviews:

Recording information: Pampigny, Suisse (2008-06-14_2008-06-17&2009-).

Reviews

Love the cello? You need this set.

Agogique is a tiny French label with no more than a handful of releases as of this writing. This was the first and though it has received little or no attention from the American and British musical press, the French have accorded it abundant honors. In addition to the CD there is an oversized book, of 100+ pages, describing the music and depicting the instruments Cocset uses. (The clamshell packaging is the size of a DVD case.) The photographs of the instruments are flat out gorgeous, as is the music (none of which you are likely to have heard, let alone collected). Cocset is a gifted and intelligent musician and he and his colleagues have done an extraordinary job here. The recording is lifelike. (You can preview some of the photos and music on Agogique's website--look for the little YouTube icon.)
Submitted on 08/20/12 by Steve L.

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Works Details

Vitali, Giovanni Battista : Passagallo Primo, for 2 violins, viol (or spinet), Op. 7

Performers: Bruno Cocset (Cello); Richard Myron (Double Bass)
Conductor: Bruno Cocset
Ensemble: Les Basses Reunies
Notes: Pampigny, Suisse (2008-06-14_2008-06-17&2009-)
Running Time: 2 min. 56 sec.
Period Time: Baroque
Written: 1682

Gabrielli, Domenico : Ricercar for cello solo no 1 in G minor

Performer: Bruno Cocset (Cello)
Conductor: Bruno Cocset
Notes: Pampigny, Suisse (2008-06-14_2008-06-17&2009-)
Running Time: 1 min. 51 sec.
Period Time: Baroque

Gabrielli, Domenico : Sonata for cello & continuo in G major

Performers: Richard Myron (Double Bass); Bruno Cocset (Cello)
Conductor: Bruno Cocset
Notes: Pampigny, Suisse (2008-06-14_2008-06-17&2009-)
Running Time: 10 min. 37 sec.
Period Time: Baroque

Gabrielli, Domenico : Ricercar for cello solo no 2 in A minor

Performer: Bruno Cocset (Cello)
Conductor: Bruno Cocset
Notes: Pampigny, Suisse (2008-06-14_2008-06-17&2009-)
Running Time: 6 min. 56 sec.
Period Time: Baroque

Jacchini, Giuseppe Maria : Sonata for cello in A minor

Performers: Richard Myron (Double Bass); Bruno Cocset (Cello)
Conductor: Bruno Cocset
Notes: Pampigny, Suisse (2008-06-14_2008-06-17&2009-)
Running Time: 2 min. 24 sec.
Period Time: Baroque

Gabrielli, Domenico : Ricercar for cello solo no 3 in D major

Performer: Bruno Cocset (Tenor Violin)
Conductor: Bruno Cocset
Notes: Pampigny, Suisse (2008-06-14_2008-06-17&2009-)
Running Time: 2 min. 52 sec.
Period Time: Baroque

Jacchini, Giuseppe Maria : Sonata for cello & organ in B flat major

Performers: Richard Myron (Double Bass); Bruno Cocset (Cello)
Conductor: Bruno Cocset
Notes: Pampigny, Suisse (2008-06-14_2008-06-17&2009-)
Running Time: 3 min. 30 sec.
Period Time: Baroque

Gabrielli, Domenico : Ricercar for cello solo no 5 in C major

Performer: Bruno Cocset (Tenor Violin)
Conductor: Bruno Cocset
Notes: Pampigny, Suisse (2008-06-14_2008-06-17&2009-)
Running Time: 3 min. 8 sec.
Period Time: Baroque

Jacchini, Giuseppe Maria : Sonata for cello & organ in C major

Performers: Richard Myron (Double Bass); Bruno Cocset (Cello)
Conductor: Bruno Cocset
Notes: Pampigny, Suisse (2008-06-14_2008-06-17&2009-)
Running Time: 3 min. 16 sec.
Period Time: Baroque

Gabrielli, Domenico : Ricercar for cello solo no 5 in C major

Performer: Bruno Cocset (Cello)
Conductor: Bruno Cocset
Notes: Pampigny, Suisse (2008-06-14_2008-06-17&2009-)
Running Time: 3 min. 8 sec.
Period Time: Baroque

Gabrielli, Domenico : Sonata for cello & continuo in A major

Performer: Bruno Cocset (Viola)
Conductor: Bruno Cocset
Notes: Pampigny, Suisse (2008-06-14_2008-06-17&2009-)
Running Time: 4 min. 4 sec.
Period Time: Baroque

Gabrielli, Domenico : Canon for 2 cellos in D

Performers: Bruno Cocset (Cello); Emmanuel Jacques (Cello)
Conductor: Bruno Cocset
Notes: Pampigny, Suisse (2008-06-14_2008-06-17&2009-)
Running Time: 2 min. 14 sec.
Period Time: Baroque

Gabrielli, Domenico : Ricercar for cello solo no 6 in G major

Performer: Bruno Cocset (Tenor Violin)
Conductor: Bruno Cocset
Notes: Pampigny, Suisse (2008-06-14_2008-06-17&2009-)
Running Time: 3 min. 12 sec.
Period Time: Baroque

Jacchini, Giuseppe Maria : Sonata for cello & organ in G major

Performers: Bruno Cocset (Cello); Richard Myron (Double Bass)
Conductor: Bruno Cocset
Notes: Pampigny, Suisse (2008-06-14_2008-06-17&2009-)
Running Time: 2 min. 58 sec.
Period Time: Baroque

Gabrielli, Domenico : Ricercar for cello solo no 7 in D minor

Performer: Bruno Cocset (Cello)
Conductor: Bruno Cocset
Notes: Pampigny, Suisse (2008-06-14_2008-06-17&2009-)
Running Time: 4 min. 32 sec.
Period Time: Baroque
Written: 16th Century

Antoni, Battista Degli : Ricercar for cello & organ no 8

Performers: Bertrand Cuiller (Organ); Bruno Cocset (Tenor Violin)
Conductor: Bruno Cocset
Notes: Pampigny, Suisse (2008-06-14_2008-06-17&2009-)
Running Time: 4 min. 29 sec.

Gabrielli, Domenico : Sonata for cello & continuo in G major

Performers: Bruno Cocset (Cello); Mathurin Matharel (Cello)
Conductor: Bruno Cocset
Notes: Pampigny, Suisse (2008-06-14_2008-06-17&2009-)
Running Time: 10 min. 37 sec.
Period Time: Baroque

Cocset, Bruno : Ricercar for cello, viola & organ (after Domenico Gabrielli, Ricercar no 7 "a due")

Performers: Bruno Cocset (Viola); Emmanuel Jacques (Cello)
Conductor: Bruno Cocset
Notes: Pampigny, Suisse (2008-06-14_2008-06-17&2009-)
Running Time: 5 min. 30 sec.

Vitali, Giovanni Battista : Ruggiero per la lettera B, for violin & basso continuo (from "Partite sopra diverse Sonate")

Performers: Bruno Cocset (Cello); Richard Myron (Double Bass)
Conductor: Bruno Cocset
Notes: Pampigny, Suisse (2008-06-14_2008-06-17&2009-)
Running Time: 2 min. 6 sec.
Period Time: Baroque

Vitali, Giovanni Battista : Passagallo secondo, for 2 violins, bass violin & organ, Op. 7

Performers: Bruno Cocset (Viola); Emmanuel Jacques (Cello)
Conductor: Bruno Cocset
Notes: Pampigny, Suisse (2008-06-14_2008-06-17&2009-)
Running Time: 2 min. 16 sec.
Period Time: Baroque

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