The Venetian composer Tomaso Albinoni was one of the very first composers to regularly use the three-movement form for concertos already employed by Giuseppe Torelli in his Sinfonias written for the instrumental groups at San Petronio in Bologna. His Concerti a cinque opus 10 were published Amsterdam in 1735 or 1736, when the composer’s international fame was already consolidated. Their success was closely linked to melodic inspiration, and the fact that the technical demands placed on performers were not excessive meant that these works were much sought after, especially by amateurs.

As well as being a a harpsichordist, organist and conductor of Harmonices Mundi, the early instrument ensemble featured on this current SACD, Claudio Astronio is also a founding member of the Musica Antiqua association in Bolzano and works as artistic director of the International Festival of Early Music.