Sumptuous Basses

With Sumptuous Basses, the Ensemble Bonne Corde presents the modern revival of the Messa a quattro voci, con Violoncelli, Fagotti, Basso, ed Organo (1793) by António de Pádua Puzzi. This work belongs to an exclusively Portuguese tradition from the late 18th century, in which solo cellos and bassoons are used to accompany the voices with lower-register instruments only, in an attempt to emulate the writing of the classical orchestra.

António de Pádua Puzzi (c. 1762–1819) was one of several court composers to write for this instrumentation and remains among the lesser-known figures in the history of Portuguese music from this period. Puzzi served the Portuguese court throughout his career, holding the position of Master of the Chapel at the Basilica of Mafra.