Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde - Sonatas for Violoncello (2024) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde: In 2018, I acquired a beautiful Baroque cello labeled J. M. Alban, fecit 17… a Graz. The instrument is of a smaller size than today’s standard cello, and the sound is silky, malleable and rich. I had heard of the existence of four-string violoncello piccolos (tuned G-d-a-e’) during the 17th and 18th centuries, and soon I decided to try this tuning on my small 18th-century cello. The result was impressive: the instrument’s tone became bright, crystalline and colourful, with an enhanced singing quality on the top string. This new voice of the Alban was an exciting discovery, and I set my mind to recording a full programme featuring my four-string violoncello piccolo.

I first tried it in a lovely sonata for violoncello and continuo by Georg Czarth (which appears on this album), and found that the cello’s tone displayed sweetness and elegance perfectly suited to German Galant music. I selected a number of works where the compass fitted this tuning, and narrowed the lot down after initial reading sessions with Artem Belogurov. I wanted to offer space on this album for his expressive playing and his Stein fortepiano, a copy made by Gerard Tuinman, so I included two pieces for obbligato cello and fortepiano, where the piano has a central role.

TRACKLIST

1. Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde - Sonata for two Violins and Continuo, Op. 1 No. 2 (Arranged for two Cello Piccolos): I. Grave
2. Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde - Sonata for two Violins and Continuo, Op. 1 No. 2 (Arranged for two Cello Piccolos): II. Allegro - Adagio
3. Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde - Sonata for two Violins and Continuo, Op. 1 No. 2 (Arranged for two Cello Piccolos): III. Allegro
4. Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde - Sonata for Cello and Basso Continuo, Op. 5 No. 3: I. Andante
5. Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde - Sonata for Cello and Basso Continuo, Op. 5 No. 3: II. Allegro
6. Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde - Sonata for Cello and Basso Continuo, Op. 5 No. 3: III. Affettuoso
7. Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde - Sonata for Cello and Basso Continuo, Op. 5 No. 3: IV. Allegro
8. Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde - The Art of Playing the Guitar or Cittra (Arranged for Cello Piccolo and b.c.): Canon
9. Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde - Sonata for Cello and Basso Continuo, Op. 5 No. 2: I. Andante
10. Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde - Sonata for Cello and Basso Continuo, Op. 5 No. 2: II. Presto
11. Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde - Sonata for Cello and Basso Continuo, Op. 5 No. 2: III. Adagio
12. Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde - Sonata for Cello and Basso Continuo, Op. 5 No. 2: IV. Allegro
13. Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde - The Art of Playing the Guitar or Cittra (Arranged for Cello Piccolo and b.c.): Affettuoso
14. Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde - Sonata for Cello and Basso Continuo, Op. 5 No. 1: I. Andante
15. Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde - Sonata for Cello and Basso Continuo, Op. 5 No. 1: II. Allegro
16. Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde - Sonata for Cello and Basso Continuo, Op. 5 No. 1: III. Andante
17. Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde - Sonata for Cello and Basso Continuo, Op. 5 No. 1: IV. Allegro
18. Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde - Sonata for Cello and Basso Continuo, Op. 5 No. 6: I. Adagio
19. Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde - Sonata for Cello and Basso Continuo, Op. 5 No. 6: II. Allegro assai - Grave
20. Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde - Sonata for Cello and Basso Continuo, Op. 5 No. 6: III. Allegro - Non tanto



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