New recordings of high baroque concertos and sonatas by a forgotten English composer who lived in 18th century Rome. Robert Valentine was born in Leicester around 1673 and came from a family of musicians. However, he only found his calling and career when he moved to Rome in his early 20s. He worked as a violinist and flautist for various churches and apparently also mastered other instruments such as the oboe. He quickly established himself as a composer with a feel for the public's taste and the ability to translate his instrumental virtuosity into original compositions.

This album offers a representative selection of this fluent inventiveness with sonatas and "concertos" (also for chamber music) from various collections. A sonata for two recorders immediately appeals to anyone who is fascinated by Vivaldi's compositions for this instrument. A concerto in B flat major for recorder, two violins and ensemble deserves comparison with the Venetian master's work due to its brilliance and intensity.

In contrast, the style of the "Concerto con Flauto Traversiero" tends towards a crystalline simplicity that suits the delicate sound of the traverso flute of the time well and brings out the chiaroscuro effects and dynamic nuances that the recorder lacks. In any case, Valentine composes sensitively for the instrumentation he has chosen. A pair of sonatas for flute and basso continuo published in 1735 as part of Valentine's Op. 13 are imposing baroque dance suites - while an Op. 13 published elsewhere under Valentine's name contains a violin sonata in the galant style, full of rustic fanfares and flourishes.

Founded and directed by flautist Enrico Casularo, Ensemble Afflatus specializes in performing and recording little-known, often unpublished music from 18th century Italy. Casulero is also the editor of this repertoire and a teacher of baroque flute at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome. He is joined here by colleagues with no less expertise in this repertoire, and the album is an ideal introduction to the art of Robert Valentine.