To Italy any and all composers and musicians of note would make their pilgrimage - noblemen and princes too. And from Italy manuscripts and scores spread across Europe, to Dresden, to northern Germany and Holland (many published in Amsterdam) and to England. Even France fell to Italian charms. Domenico Scarlatti (son of Alessandro on this disc) took Italy to Spain and Portugal.

In this programme we wanted to bring you a varied selection of Italy's baroque best, several composers known and unknown and differing in style, with tonal variety through a mix of orchestral, chamber and solo keyboard works, and most importantly of all, the very best performances, by musicians who play in the traditional style where love of, and respect for the music takes precedence over attempts at what is known somewhat dubiously today as "authenticity". A varied programme, good music, pleasing sound, dedicated performers.

A surprise for those who don't know... it is the recitativo from Bonporti's concerto a quattro on this disc - a beautifully lyrical movement which deserves to match in popularity the great favourites of "Baroque Samplers". All in all an excellent survey of, or introduction to Italian baroque. And highly enjoyable listening!