This recording of four of the five Op. 2 Trio Sonatas by Sammartini gets off to a good start before even placing the album in the CD player. The liner notes go well beyond simply giving a brief description of the pieces being performed and instead give an in-depth picture of Sammartini's influence, the relevance and history of the trio sonata, and a persuasive argument regarding the authorship of the G major Cello Sonata. The performances of the trio sonatas are as enjoyable as their history. Marked with just a touch of tasteful rubato, the execution is crisp and refined, noble without being stodgy, and energetic without being overdone. The controversy, of course, surrounds the cello sonata, performed by
Andrea Noferini and
Bruno Canino on harpsichord. A number of composers have been posited as likely authors of this composition, most likely Martin Berteau. And although the liner notes make a strong objection to the fact that the sonata has been greatly altered over time and originally had four movements, it is performed here in its completely modernized three-movement form -- a curious choice. Still, the performance itself is quite satisfactory, even if it is not what was originally intended.