Complete Keyboard Music

The prolific Domenico Alberti squeezed a surprising number of works out of a short and eventful life, achieving fame across Western Europe, particularly for the so-called 'Alberti bass', an arpeggiated style of left-hand keyboard playing. Yet his present-day reputation does not equal these heights, his fame largely limited today to his Eight Sonatas. This recording puts this to rights, showcasing Alberti as a composer who deserves to be remembered for centuries to come, as a musical poet possessed of remarkable invention and imagination.

Alberti's compositions display the simplicity and sensitivity of Clementi, the vigour of Mozart and, in the briefest of moments, an almost Schubertian or Chopinesque pre-Romanticism. His keyboard compositions are generally individual movements or two-part toccatas or sonatas, the whole full of melodic echoes and intentional re-workings, which form intriguing bridges between the pieces.

The three distinct periods in the composer's output of keyboard music are mirrored here by the use of organ, fortepiano and harpsichord (all of which Alberti would have had to hand in his day) - corresponding also to the period practice of 'playing on all manner of instruments', with individual pieces often not tied down to a specific instrument. This combination adds a delicious tonal variety to the set. Talented keyboardist and international award-winner Manuel Tomadin has a particular interest in Renaissance and Baroque music and historical organs. He brings all of his expertise to bear on this superb album. This 4CD set contains the complete keyboard music by Domenico Alberti, a First Recording!