Francesco Weber - Sonate à mandolino e basso (Davide Rebuffa; Luca Guglielmi; Nicola Brovelli)

Information

Composer: Francesco Weber

1. Sonata 1: Andante – Allegro – Menuet con Spirito
2. Sonata 2: Andante con spirito - [Minuetto] Sostenuto - Giga (Allegro assai)
3. Sonata 3: Amoroso - Allegro - Menuet (Lento)
4. Sonata 4: Andante - Larghetto - Gavotta
5. Sonata 5: Andante - larghetto - Menuet (Allegro)
6. Sonata 6: [Allegro] - Largo - Giga
7. Sonata 7: Lento - Allegro - Menuet (con spirito ma non presto)
8. Sonata 8: Larghetto - Allegro - Lento - Giga
9. Sonata 9: Largo - Allegro assai - Menuet (Piano)
10. Sonata 10: Largo - Allegro - Menuet spiritoso ma non presto
11. Sonata 11: Vaggo - Gigga - Sarabanda - Menuet con spirito
12. Sonata 12: Moderatto - Allegro - Menuet con spirito

Davide Rebuffa, mandolin

Luca Guglielmi, harpsichord

Nicola Brovelli, cello

Date: 2026

Label: Tactus

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Francesco Weber (1692–1750)’s 12 Sonatas for mandolino and continuo stand out as a pivotal collection within the Baroque mandolin repertoire. Although bearing a German surname, Weber was an Italian lutenist, theorbist, and composer who built a prominent career in England. Primary research into his 1745 London will reveals deep family ties and assets tied to Genoa, connecting him directly to master luthier Andrea Weber (1658–1740). This landmark recording features the composer's works played on a newly discovered, exceptionally rare 1717 Genoese 5-course mandolino crafted by Andrea Weber—the composer’s father—offering an unprecedented historical synergy between instrument, maker, and musical lineage.

Italian lutenist, musicologist, and organologist Davide Rebuffa is a pioneering figure in early music, specializing in medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque plucked string instruments. Following initial classical guitar studies at Genoa's Conservatorio, he mastered historical instruments under Hopkinson Smith, becoming one of the first Italian musicians to perform on medieval lutes, 'ûd, and historical mandolins. Rebuffa has directed numerous ensembles, founded the Early Mandolin Academy with Mauro Squillante, and published influential research, including Il Liuto—a seminal text on the lute's organological history. Currently a professor at Vicenza’s Conservatorio "A. Pedrollo," he continues to perform internationally on rare period instruments.