Pasquini: Docendo Discitur

Bernardo Pasquini (1637-1710) was one among a distinguished line of Italian baroque composers who developed the art of the keyboard throughout the 17th century. Other fine contributors to this tradition included Frescobaldi, Trabaci and Poglietti. Pasquini’s ‘Ricercari dai Saggi di Contrappunto’ manuscript of 1695, preserved in Berlin, is an especially fine example of the inclination of such composers to produce an ‘art of fugue’-style treatise; the result is a sequence of 27 pieces, mostly in Ricercare format, which not only are models of the genre but make for beautiful and intriguing listening.They are played here by Edoardo Bellotti on an excellent-sounding modern reconstruction of an Italian baroque organ in the concert hall of the Accademia Internazionale di Smarano in Trento. The works, although ostensibly examples of the Ricercare, wear their erudition lightly, being characterised by distinctive melodies which are developed in ways which constantly engage the listener. For further variety, these are interspersed by a handful of variation- and toccata-style pieces taken from Pasquini’s Berlin and London manuscripts - although I have to admit that, personally, I enjoyed the ricercari most of all.Bellotti’s playing is extremely stylish and convincing, emphasising the energy and momentum of each work. The instrument is ideally suited to the task, and recorded sound is first-class. Booklet notes are also excellent, and full details are provided of instrument and registrations. The title of the disc, ‘Docendo Discitur’, is taken from the inscription on the instrument, and is appropriate to the composer’s intention (‘one learns by teaching’, attrib. Seneca the Younger). The CD is perhaps directed mainly at listeners of somewhat specialised baroque tastes; but it is a most enterprising project, beautifully executed, and thus makes very satisfying and enjoyable listening for anyone who loves baroque keyboard music.