Georg Muffat was born in the mid-seventeenth century in the Alpine town of Megève in the Kingdom of Savoy. However, he did not breathe the mountain air for long – still a child, he departed for Alsace. Although the region was incorporated into the Kingdom of France in 1648 under the terms of the Peace of Westphalia, it was the tradition of German Baroque music that Georg Muffat enriched through his art. Numerous relocations and journeys allowed him to become acquainted not only with local traditions but also with the musical styles cultivated across seventeenth-century Europe. Thanks to his studies in Paris, he was able to immerse himself in the musical universe of Jean-Baptiste Lully, while during a journey to Rome around 1680, he had the opportunity to study with Bernardo Pasquini and Arcangelo Corelli. In fact, it was in Corelli’s home that the compositions from the Armonico Tributo cycle were first performed.
The collection consists of five sonatas that resemble the concerto grosso. Muffat granted performers a certain degree of freedom, emphasizing that these were chamber works that could be performed by both smaller and larger ensembles. There is no doubt that these compositions were written under the direct inspiration of Italian music; nevertheless, they also incorporate elements of German polyphony and French dances. It was not without reason that Muffat became renowned as a musical cosmopolitan who masterfully combined stylistic features characteristic of different nations within his works. The majestic slow movements, with their captivating dissonant suspensions, contrast with the light, graceful fast movements. The result is a perfect image of the Baroque era – one that delights with its refinement and variety of musical solutions while maintaining formal coherence and nobility of sound.
Marta Dziewanowska-Pachowska
PROGRAM
Georg Muffat (1653-1704) – Armonico Tributo
Sonata I in D major
Sonata | Allemanda | Gavotta | Menuet
Sonata II in G minor
Sonata | Aria | Sarabanda | Borea
Sonata III in A major
Sonata | Corrente | Adagio | Gavotta | Rondeau
Sonata IV in E minor
Sonata | Balletto | Adagio / Presto | Menuet | Adagio | Aria
Sonata V in G major
Allemanda | Adagio | Fuga | Adagio | Passacaglia
PERFORMERS
THE PERIOD INSTRUMENTS ENSEMBLE OF THE POLISH ROYAL OPERA CAPELLA REGIA POLONA
KRZYSZTOF GARSTKA HARPSICHORD/CONDUCTOR
Duration: approx. 1 h 10 mins
