WASSENAER: Concerti Armonici [CD de audio] I Musici and Unico Wilhelm van Wassenaer

The Only Count Wilhelm van Wassenaer (1692-1766) was a Dutch nobleman and ambassador to the United States in Paris and Cologne in the 1740s. He was also a surprisingly skilled amateur musician and composer. Like many wealthy men of the time who had similar musical abilities, Albinoni and Marcello, for example, published their music under an assumed name, as the social status of the musicians and composers was far below their own. For many years, the Concerti Armonici on this CD were by an unknown composer, and were later attributed to Handel, Pergolesi, Carlo Ricciotti (1681-1756) and the violinist Charles Bachiche. Only in 1979 was it possible to attribute these concerts with certainty to Wassenaer. His music shows that he was up to date with the fashionable musical styles of the time and, perhaps as a result of his travels as a diplomat, have a distinctly Italian sound. Corelli is especially detectable, with a predilection for sensuality, lyricism and contrasts.