A name that will be unfamiliar to many listeners, Francesco Maria Zuccari was born circa 1694 in Dosolo, Italy. The earliest trace of his work as a composer is from 1718, when he was working at the basilica of Assisi, becoming first organist there and later maestro di capella until 1727. He subsequently worked in senior posts in the cities of Rome and Padua, and died in 1788.

Zuccari was primarily a church composer, so the ten Cello Sonatas heard on this new recording are a more unusual part of his output and have only recently been confirmed as his works.

The manuscript of these wonderful Baroque Cello Sonatas was found in the library of the Sacro Conveno in Assisi, and research by Musica Perduta proved them to be by the hand of Francesco Maria Zuccari, organist and Maestro di Capella of the Basilica of Assisi.

The sonatas are very skilfully written for the cello, exploring the possibilities of the instruments to its limits, displaying at times an astonishing virtuosity. In recording these sonatas, Musica Perduta have paid considerable attention to the performance practices of Zuccari’s era. Original period instruments, or accurate copies, were used, and the proper assembly and performance techniques of the instruments were observed, making this release a fascinating and authoritative exploration of rare but exciting repertoire.

New Premiere Recording.