Renato Criscuolo: Marcello

The Strad Issue: July 2025

Description: Lack of finesse short-changes these fine Baroque sonatas

Musicians: Renato Criscuolo (cello) Aldo Criscuolo (harpsichord)

Works: Marcello: Six Cello Sonatas

Catalogue number: BRILLIANT CLASSICS 97091

Whether Benedetto Marcello originally intended these sonatas for cello or gamba is debatable, but their high tessitura and occasionally tricky left-hand finger-work, particularly in fast movements such as no.1’s final Allegro, suggest the latter. They certainly expose weaknesses in Renato Criscuolo’s technical armoury, making for some uncomfortable listening in terms of precision, tone and articulation. Moreover, his accounts of the slow movements generally lack shape and musical conviction, and rhythmic fidelity to the score often seems too lax; one bar of no.5’s Largo, performed in 2/8 rather than 3/8, seems to have slipped through unnoticed.

The Criscuolos put a historically aware stamp on their interpretations by adding introductions to selected slow movements – for harpsichord in no.1’s third movement and both slow movements of no.3 and a somewhat ill-suited one for cello in no.6 – as well as double- and multiple-stopping to some cello lines. They also repeat the third movement of no.3, Renato playing the first iteration solo and self-accompanied.

Additional ornamentation combines Italian-style diminutions with some embellishments typical of the French gambists. Dynamics are well contrasted but the recordings, balanced in favour of the cello, and Aldo’s somewhat uninspired harpsichord contribution, minus string bass support, do little to help the cause of these aesthetically incoherent and musically disappointing performances.

ROBIN STOWELL