Andrea Fossa, Renato Criscuolo, Anna Fontana, Francisco Gato - Pietro Gaetano Boni: Sonatas for Cello and Bc, Op. 1 (2009)

An accomplished cellist and a composer in the service the same Cardinal as Arcangelo Corelli, the name of Pietro Gaetano Boni has long been forgotten along with his compositions and technical achievements on his instrument. Fortunately, a delightful set of 12 sonatas for cello and basso continuo has survived to be performed by cellist Andrea Fossà (only 8 of the 12 are heard on this Dynamic album) accompanied by a continuo of a second cello or viola da gamba, archlute, and harpsichord. Boni's familiarity with the cello is apparent from his melodies that play to the cello's strengths while still exploring what, at the time, would have been considered an extended range and technical challenges. Boni's choice of keys for each of the 12 sonatas was also adventurous for only repeating a key once. Fossà's choice of eight sonatas gives listeners a representative sample of Boni's work, but leaves listeners wondering why the remaining four weren't included on a second disc to give a complete recording. Fossà's playing is clear and nuanced; his technical abilities are generally solid, though there are occasional intonation blemishes. Most pleasing is the balance between solo and continuo, and the seamless way the instruments complement each other's sound. The group plays with a nice balance that allows the solo cello to be heard clearly while not subduing the equally interesting continuo.