Stephen Midgley reviews
BARTOLOMEO BERNARDI
Qual di feroce Tromba
2CD edited by Urania Records

5.0 out of 5 stars Baroque violin rarities



“Although taking its title from one of the three solo cantatas included, the principal works on this two-disc set are six sonatas for violin and continuo, opus 3, by Bartolomeo Bernardi (1660-1732). This composer from Bologna, a contemporary of the likes of Corelli, Steffani, Fux, Alessandro Scarlatti and Couperin le Grand, spent most of his working life as Kappellmeister at the royal court of Copenhagen. Sadly much of his output was destroyed in a fire in that city in 1745, so little of it remains. This recording aims to cover all of those works that have not already been recorded – the latter actually very little, with only two other recordings available as far as I can tell. So here we find the set of sonatas already mentioned, as well as three cantatas for solo soprano and basso continuo.
n spite of Bernardi’s obscurity, these violin sonatas are actually beautiful and distinctive works. They each consist of several movements in a liberal combination of ‘da chiesa’ and ‘da camera’ format; especially enjoyable are the opening, often multi-section movements, with slow and quick tempi alternating with an air of emotive spontaneity. All the music is full of attractive melody and virtuosic brilliance, with copious double-stopping and other entertaining devices. Moreover, enjoyment is greatly enhanced by a terrific performance from violinist Davide Belosio, with equally effective support from the small continuo ensemble of cello, harpsichord and organ collectively named I Solisti Ambrosiani.
The three short solo cantatas also receive good performances from the fine soprano voice of Tullia Pedersoli and the ensemble, but to tell the truth I didn’t find their music especially interesting. Italian texts are supplied, but English translations would have helped. Recorded sound is vivid and most agreeable, with a very slight background rumble that’s not at all troublesome. Booklet essay by Tullia Pedersoli, with English translation, is interesting and useful. The main attraction of this recording is undoubtedly the set of six violin sonatas, basically akin to the Corellian ethos although few could ever equal the latter’s creative genius. Bernardi’s pieces are nevertheless of high quality and extremely enjoyable, especially when presented with such stylish and spirited advocacy as they are here. Heartily recommended to baroque enthusiasts”.

Alain Monnier, Clic Musique !, 2020, reviews
BARTOLOMEO BERNARDI
Qual di feroce Tromba
2CD edited by Urania Records

“Tant la voix de la soprano se prêtant avec souplesse à la restitution des cantates, que le jeu du violon solo, au style stretto sur d’expressives cordes de boyau, apportent à ces enregistrements énormément de fraicheur et d’authenticité. Pour notre plus grand plaisir, Bernardi et sa musique nous sont ainsi restitués avec beaucoup de présence et d’éloquence.”

Johan van Veen, musica Dei donum, 2020, reviews
BARTOLOMEO BERNARDI
Qual di feroce Tromba
2CD edited by Urania Records

[…]
“Tullia Perdersoli has a very nice voice, and I greatly appreciate the rhythmic freedom in her interpretation of the recitatives. That is the way to perform them. I also like her ornamentation in the dacapos of the arias…”
[…]
“This is a set of discs lovers of the baroque violin should not miss. Not only is Bernardi’s music great to listen to, Davide Belosio and his colleagues deliver outstanding performances. It is a bit of a mystery, why these sonatas have not been recorded before. Fortunately, this first recording does full justice to the character of these pieces. Whatever motivated Scheibe to his negative assessment of Bernardi, if these sonatas are anything to go by, he was most definitely wrong.”

Bruno Belli critico musicale recensisce il CD
“Lontan da te mia vita”
Varese Report, 2018



“Grazie anche al successo dei concerti e dell’importante rassegna «Festival Musica Sibrii», giunta alla VII edizione, che vanta, tra l’altro, il patronato della presidenza della Repubblica Italiana, «I Solisti Ambrosiani», formazione poliforme che dal gruppo di pochi elementi da camera spazia fino all’orchestra con strumenti originali, grazie alla gestione operata con oculatezza da Tullia Pedersoli e Davide Belosio, giunge alla tappa del quarto cd.
Un prezioso Albinoni nell’ultimo disco dei Solisti Ambrosiani edito dalla «Urania Records – Editore Noemi Manzoni» di Merone, il cd si avvale di un’ottima veste grafica che presenta le eccellenti note scritte dalla stessa Tullia Pedersoli ed i testi delle cantate incise, […] Per interpretare questi lavori sono necessarie, pertanto, le doti naturali che si sviluppano per il meglio tramitelo studio e l’approfondimento della tecnica, caratteristiche che non difettano certo al soprano Tullia Pedersoli, sempre elegante nel canto espressivo, controllato sul fiato, al violinista Davide Belosio, virtuoso nei passi diagilità, quanto lirico nella “cavata” chiesta sovente nei tempi lenti, ed al complesso dei brillanti strumentistiche esprimono il «basso continuo», Emma Bolamperti, raffinatissima al clavicembalo, Franco Lazzari, fantasioso alla tiorba e Claudio Frigerio mentore di un espressivo ed elegante violoncello.