Alison McGillivray – Geminiani: Sonatas for Violoncello & Basso Continuo (2005) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Alison McGillivray - Geminiani: Sonatas for Violoncello & Basso Continuo (2005) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz] Download

Debut solo album from cellist Alison McGillivray exploring the music of Francesco Geminiani. This is a stellar release, full of discrete pleasures for the discerning listener.

Most people familiar with the name of Alison McGillivray possibly think of an intent, astute and sympathetic ‘accompanist’ in the role of continuo player. I heard her once play a concerto with the Academy of Ancient Music and knew that there was a fresh solo voice in there, and this is quite clearly both a coming of age for the young artist and a fanfare of things to come as the new star of the generation starts to spread her wings. It’s surprising that Geminiani’s sonatas, though popular with cellists, seem to have avoided the record catalogues: they would appear to fall into that category of baroque music that needs that something special in terms of performance to lift them above the commonplace. Alison and her trio of co-conspirators have that something special in buckets. The notes are very interesting, shedding light on what might surprise some as the French influence on what most of us consider a very Italian master; but just in case you think it’s all intended seriously, take a look at the ‘Subscriber’s List’ and you’ll find Alison’s sister ‘Violist d’amore, St Albans’, and her loving father ‘Gardener, Giffnock’. Sense of humour aside, this is a fantastic solo debut and an equally impressive account of Geminiani’s Op. 5 in various guises.

Tracklist:

1. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.1 in A – Andante (01:38)
2. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.1 in A – Allegro (03:48)
3. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.1 in A – Andante (00:49)
4. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.1 in A – Allegro (04:20)
5. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.2 in D minor – Andante (02:38)
6. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.2 in D minor – Presto (02:33)
7. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.2 in D minor – Adagio (00:56)
8. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.2 in D minor – Allegro (04:58)
9. Alison McGillivray – Prelude (Lentement) after op.4 no.1, from Pièces de Clavecin (London 1743) (03:24)
10. Alison McGillivray – Vivement in D, after op.4 no.1, from Pièces de Clavecin (London 1743) (02:56)
11. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.3 in C – Andante (01:41)
12. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.3 in C – Allegro (04:17)
13. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.3 in C – Affetuoso (03:04)
14. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.3 in C – Allegro (03:15)
15. Alison McGillivray – Tendrement in G minor, after op.1 no.6, from Pièces de Clavecin (03:38)
16. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.4 in B flat – Andante (00:25)
17. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.4 in B flat – Allegro Moderato (03:16)
18. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.4 in B flat – Grave (01:02)
19. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.4 in B flat – Allegro (01:03)
20. Alison McGillivray – Vivement in D minor, after op.4 no.4, from Pièces de Clavecin (03:55)
21. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.5 in F – Adagio (00:40)
22. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.5 in F – Allegro Moderato (01:23)
23. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.5 in F – Adagio (02:26)
24. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.5 in F – Allegro (02:50)
25. Alison McGillivray – Sonata after op.5 no.4 in B flat, from The Second Collection of Pieces for the Harpsichord (London 1762) (03:02)
26. Alison McGillivray – Sonata after op.5 no.4 in B flat, from The Second Collection of Pieces for the Harpsichord (London 1762) (00:37)
27. Alison McGillivray – Sonata after op.5 no.4 in B flat, from The Second Collection of Pieces for the Harpsichord (London 1762) (01:13)
28. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.6 in A minor (00:44)
29. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.6 in A minor (04:07)
30. Alison McGillivray – Sonata op.5 no.6 in A minor (03:53)