Concerto in D • Guitar and Piano • Tomaso Albinoni

Tomaso Albinoni was born in Venice in 1674 and died there in 1740. He was a contemporary of the great masters Händel, Bach, Domenico Scarlatti, Antonio Vivaldi, Giuseppe Tartini, Couperin and others. Albinoni’s importance may be deduced from the high praise accorded to him by J.S. Bach, who recommended the study of the composer’s works to his pupils.

This engaging work, originally for oboe, strings and continuo, is to be found in a series of four similar works known collectively as Op. 7. It is remarkable for its compactness, for its beautiful combination of the solo part with the tutti and the superb development of all its ideas. The beauty of this typically Italian Barocco three-movement construction, which remains basically the same as the concerti of Vivaldi, and the principals of form already established in these Venetian concerti influenced the classical symphony, and reflect the beauty of their age.

Guitarist Gregg Nestor has arranged this Concerto for solo guitar and accompaniment. It is available in three separate publications • Guitar and Keyboard • Guitar and String Quartet • Guitar and String Orchestra • each suitable for the concert stage.