Not much is known about the Italian composer and clergyman, Diogenio Bigaglia. He was born in Venice around 1676 and died there in 1745. He composed several dozen sacred oratorios, masses, and motets, the majority of which have been lost. He also composed some instrumental works, including twelve violin sonatas and this month’s featured work, a sonata for recorder and continuo.
Many critics compare Bigaglia’s sonatas with the beautiful works of his more prolific contemporaries, Giovanni Bononcini, Benedetto Marcello, and Francesco Veracini. This Sonata in g minor is in four movements: Adagio, Allegro assai, Siciliana, and Giga. Here to perform it is Carolina Pro Musica, featuring Edward Ferrell, recorder.
Carolina Pro Musica performs Bigaglia’s Sonata in g minor: