Multi-National Influences

From the early days of the period instrument movement, this reissue disk by the Parley of Instruments directed by Roy Goodman and Peter Holman presents music by Georg Muffat from his first published work Armonico Tributo dating from Salzburg in 1682. The works in question are five sonatas for small ensembles of strings and continuo, the latter provided by either harpsichord or organ. Although in the second rank of baroque composers, Muffat's work is well worthy of investigation. Generally considered as a German composer, he was in fact born in Savoy near Mont Blanc and had spells under the influence of both French ( Lully and Couperin ) and Italian music ( Corelli ). His sojourn in Salzburg coincided with that of Biber and if there was any kind of contest or rivalry it was won by Biber but again, Muffat was sufficiently well thought of to continue to get work and commissions from various other German courts. Performance and interpretation of this repertoire have moved on since the early eighties when this was recorded but this recording was highly thought of at the time and it is still an enjoyable experience and a worthwhile representation of Muffat's contribution.