Coelho: Flores de Musica pera o Instrumento de Tecla, & Harpa, Vol. 4

Featuring

Fernando Miguel Jalôto
Manuel Rodrigues Coelho

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Instruments

The harpsichord used for this recording is a single-manual instrument, made in 2009 by Klinkhamer Harpsichords & Fortepianos, modeled after a 1738 instrument by Christian Vater.

Performer Biography

Fernando Miguel Jalôto is a Portuguese specialist in historical keyboard instruments, performing internationally as a soloist, maestro al cembalo, and guest continuo player with various European Early Music groups.

Composition History

Coelho's "Flores de musica pera o instrumento de tecla & harpa," published in 1620, is his only known work and one of the largest music works printed in the 17th century, spanning over 500 pages.

Composer Biography

Manuel Rodrigues Coelho, born around 1555 in Elvas, Portugal, served as an organist in his hometown, Badajoz (Spain), and later as organist of the Royal Chapel in Lisbon.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Coelho's work shows a surprising awareness of contemporary keyboard music across Europe, incorporating elements from Italian instrumental canzoni, Venetian choral writing, and even stylistic allusions to Merulo, Frescobaldi, Sweelinck, and English virginalists.

Interpretation

The performer, Fernando Miguel Jalôto, believes that a harpsichord with specific characteristics, such as a single keyboard, two unison string sets, and brass stringing, can faithfully evoke the sound known by Coelho.