Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Duo pour cordes en sol, K 423
Sinfonia Concertante en si bémol, K 364

Bohuslav Martinu (1890-1959)
Duo n° 1, H 313

Louis Spohr (1784-1859)
Grand Duo, op. 13

Manuel Ponce (1882-1948)
Sonata a Duo

Johan Halvorsen (1864-1935)
Passacaille sur un thème d'Haendel

Ignaz Josef Pleyel (1757-1831)
Symphonie concertnate en si bémol, B 112

Max Bruch (1838-1920)
Double concerto en mi mineur, op. 88

Davide Alogna, violon
José Adolfo Alejo, alto
Camerata de Coahuila
Ramon Shade, direction

This rare and exciting recording brings together two instruments seldom heard together, despite the substantial repertoire that exists for the duo. Multi-award-winning violinist Davide Alogna pairs up with prominent violist José Alejo, combining their musical forces to an otherwise neglected repertoire. The works presented here showcase the technical possibilities of both instruments, whilst displaying a range of expressive possibilities. They comprise the grand orchestral movements of Mozart’s quasi-romantic Sinfonia Concertante and Bruch’s sweeping Double Concerto, as well as the concise and technically demanding works for duo alone, including Louis Spohr’s exhilarating Grand Duo Op.13 and Halvorsen’s virtuosic Passacaglia on a theme by Handel. The modernists receive their fair share of track time too: Martinu’s Duo No.1 betrays his love for the English Madrigal, whilst retaining the folky resonances of his other works, and Manuel Ponce – while famous for his compositions for guitar – offers a charming and expressive modern work in his Sonata a Duo. Having performed at Carnegie Hall and worked with leading ensembles including the Northern Czech Philharmonic, Italian violinist Davide Alogna teams up with award-winning violist José Adolfo Alejo to add interpretive and technical prowess to these intricate works. Conductor Ramón Shade leads the Camerata de Coahuila, providing accompaniment from one of Mexico’s finest Orchestras.