Frescobaldi: Arias, Toccatas and Canzoni

Featuring

Yoshimichi Hamada
Kaori Ishikawa
Marie Nishiyama
Rafael Bonavita
Midori Suzuki
Girolamo Frescobaldi

Did you know?

1/7

Composer Biography

Girolamo Frescobaldi, born in Ferrara in 1583, grew up during a period of radical changes as the late Renaissance transitioned to the early Baroque.

Composer Biography

Frescobaldi debuted as a composer in 1608 with a collection of Italian madrigals, despite being a celebrated organ and harpsichord virtuoso.

Interpretation

Frescobaldi granted performers significant freedom in his 1615 Toccatas, advising them to vary tempo and even pause according to the expression and meaning of the words, similar to modern madrigals.

Historical Context

Frescobaldi's hometown, Ferrara, was a major music center in Italy, with the d'Este family supporting the arts and Duke Alfonso having music performed daily for hours.

Compositional Technique

Frescobaldi's Toccatas, published in 1615 and 1627, are highly expressive and inventive pieces that blend modal and major/minor tonality, often using chromaticism.

Composer Biography

In 1607, Frescobaldi accompanied his patron Guido Bentivoglio, a Church dignitary, to Brussels, a center for instrument building and keyboard composition.

Composer Biography

Frescobaldi was recognized as a musical prodigy early on and received an excellent and comprehensive education, including organ lessons from Luzzasco Luzzaschi, a famous organist.