Galilei: Il primo libro d'intavolatura di liuto

Featuring

Axel Wolf
Michelangelo Galilei

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Performer Biography

Axel Wolf, the lutenist on this recording, performs worldwide with renowned partners and ensembles, and also explores jazz, baroque, and renaissance music with saxophonist Hugo Siegmeth in their duo 'Flow'.

Composer Biography

Only two copies of Michelagnolo Galilei's printed lute book are known to exist, one in Krakow and one in the British Library in London.

Composer Biography

Michelagnolo Galilei, born in 1575, was the second son of influential music theorist Vincenzo Galilei and the younger brother of the famous scientist Galileo Galilei.

Historical Context

Michelagnolo Galilei served as a lutenist in the court orchestra of Duke Maximilian I of Bavaria, who also showed interest in the scientific findings of Michelagnolo's brother, Galileo Galilei.

Composition History

Michelagnolo Galilei's 'Il primo libro d'intavolatura di liuto' was published in 1620 in Munich at his own expense, intended as his musical calling card to the world.

Compositional Technique

The pieces in Michelagnolo Galilei's lute book are arranged by key, which is considered an early step towards the Baroque suite, and show modern French influences alongside Italian tradition.