SPOURNI: 6 SONATAS FOR 2 CELLOS

VENCESLAUS JOSEPH SPOURN I (Bohemia? approx. 1700 – Paris, 1754)

6 SONATES OP. IV POUR DEUX CELLOS
(Paris, 1741)

Sonata No. 1 in B flat Major
Sonata No. 2 in F Major
Sonata No. 3 in C Major
Sonata No. 4 in G Major
Sonata No. 5 in F Major
Sonata No. 6 in A Major

1 CD

CLAUDIO RONCO – EMANUELA VOZZA

on period instruments

An eccentric composer and virtuoso cellist in the service of the Prince of Carignano in Paris in the first half of the 18th century, Venceslaus Spourni left us a large and fascinating body of works, including symphonies, concertos, and burlesques for pastoral instruments such as the hurdy-gurdy and bagpipe, as well as collections of chamber sonatas, at least three of which are dedicated to his instrument. This is the first ever recording of his Opus IV for two cellos, the success of which is evidenced by the inclusion of the second of these sonatas in a successful collection of "various eminent authors" published in London in 1748.