The 17th century saw instrumental music, particularly the violin and its family, gain autonomy and equal standing with vocal art, especially in court circles.
Interpretation
The score for 'Prothimia suavissima II' contains numerous errors, requiring meticulous detective work from musicians to correct before a serious interpretation is possible.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Bertali's 'Prothimia suavissima' prioritizes compositional art and the sensual richness of sound over exceptional virtuosity, exploring subtle timbral changes and melodic beauty.
Composition History
The collection 'Prothimia suavissima' is attributed to Antonio Bertali based on the initials F. S. A. B. on the title page and the opinion of French bibliographer Sébastien de Brossard.
Compositional Technique
These sonatas blend elements of both 'sonata da chiesa' (church sonata) and 'sonata da camera' (court sonata), often incorporating dance movements into church sonatas.
Composition History
The authorship of the 'Prothimia suavissima' sonatas is debated, as Samuel Capricornus published a similar collection a year earlier, though Capricornus admitted Bertali was his compositional model.
Composer Biography
Antonio Bertali, an Italian-born composer and violinist, became Kapellmeister at the Viennese court in 1649, succeeding Giovanni Valentini, and held the position until his death in 1669.
