In 18th-century Naples, one of the most fertile artistic centres in Europe, Francesco Durante was considered ‘supreme’, composing music that gave him an international status. His psalm settings stand out for their astoundingly modern contrapuntal tensions and expressive nuance. Coupled with Giovanni Salvatore’s uniquely inventive pieces for organ, these world-premiere recordings revive sacred works by a composer lauded in his day as the ‘greatest master of harmony in Italy’.

Aside from producing a recording of some beautiful music for our ever-popular Early Music Collection, this release will be of interest to scholars and musicians at every level. These sacred compositions by Durante constitute now rarely heard ‘true Neapolitan church music’, and this album is intended to generate interest among the public and make an active contribution to the greater understanding of the artistry and style of Francesco Durante, a composer with international status as witnessed by the numerous manuscripts of his music preserved in the major libraries of Europe.