Izhar Elias (guitar), Alon Sariel (mandolin) & Michael Tsalka (fortepiano)

• Bortolazzi: Variationen in G über Paisiellos "Nel cor piu non mi sento" op. 8 für Mandoline & Gitarre
  +Hummel: Grande Sonata in C op. 37a für Mandoline & Klavier; Pot-pourri op. 53 für Gitarre & Klavier
  +Giuliani: Introduktion & Variationen über Paisiellos "Nel cor piu non mi sento" op. 113 für Gitarre & Klavier; Polonaise Allegro op. 113 für Gitarre & Klavier
  +Beethoven: Andante mit Variationen WoO 44b für Mandoline & Klavier; Sonatinen WoO 43a & 44a für Mandoline & Klavier; 6 Variationen über Paisiellos "Nel cor piu non mi sento" WoO 70 für Klavier
  +Vanhal: 6 Variationen über Paisiellos "Nel cor piu non mi sento" für Mandoline, Gitarre & Klavier

This original concept CD presents one of the most popular opera arias in early‐19th century Vienna, 'Nel cor piu non mi sento', from Paisiello’s opera 'L’amor contrastato', as the basis of a variety of works by a variety of composers: Bortolazzi, Hummel, Giuliani, Vanhal and Beethoven. The aria, in its powerful simplicity, lends itself very well for the variation form and it was gratefully used as a means of instrumental display of brilliance and invention.

The basic instrumental ensemble used on this recording is mandolin, guitar and fortepiano - fashionable instruments at that time. The musicians play on historic instruments: Alon Sariel plays a 1850 mandolin, Izhar Elias plays a 1812 Guadagnini guitar and the Böhm 1820 fortepiano is played by Michael Tsalka.

The excellent liner notes are written by the musicians.