Giuseppe Antonio Brescianello (c. 1690 - 1758), Sebastian Bach's junior by only five years, is one of those obscure composers perhaps saved by the mystery of the instrument he composed for: the Gallichone. There is ambiguity over the precise definition of this type of lute; it appears to be a bass lute also known as the mandora and was most often used for basso continuo in Germany, Austria, and Bohemia. One doesn't run into it, except in reference to one composer: Brescianello. Brescianello wrote 18 sonatas for the gallichone around 1740, likely for some nobleman dilettante of the instrument, thereby securing a minor position for his name in obscure musical history. I suspect one doesn't hear these pieces performed on the lute for two reasons: the gallichone's tuning is much closer to the guitar (essentially down one note) and there is generally more interesting music of the period for the baroque lute. Why go to the trouble of either re-tuning your lute or transcribing, when you can do better?
These pieces do show up in the modern guitar repertoire, and (yes!) on the concert zither. If I make it sound like it is inferior music, then I don't do it adequate justice. It is pleasant, tuneful, although maybe just a little formulaic. One could accuse S. L. Weiss, J. C. Graupner, and others who were actually more successful than Sebastian Bach in his day, of the same sins.
It is a pleasure to have this music performed by Terrel Stone on a genuine gallichone, which sounds just like a lute. Stone has a fine technique, approaches the music lyrically and with energy. The sound is deep and maybe just a bit muddy: it would have been nice to have it miked not quite so closely nor in such a live space, but it is an attractive sound, nonetheless.
I got this recording when I checked out Qualiton's web site. Qualiton is a major distributor in North America and you can get recordings from them directly at a modest savings, with an additional discount for volume. It is worthwhile to look for specials; in this case the recording was only $9.75, well worth the price. (Qualiton is especially good for acquiring recordings on the BIS label, one of my favorites, along with a variety of more obscure European labels.) The recording I got is only the first half of the 18 sonatas; I'm uncommitted as to whether I want to go to the trouble to locate the second half. It is pleasant music, but I found one sonata (all in major keys) much like the others.
