Ferdinando de' Medici, known as the 'Orpheus of princes', was a skilled musician and composer who actively participated in music-making, even performing continuo at the harpsichord, which was scandalous for many noblemen of his time.
Performer Biography
Musica Fiorita, led by Daniela Dolci, is an ensemble specializing in late Renaissance and Baroque music, known for its historically informed performance practice and its members' shared musical language from the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis.
Recording & Production
This recording features three of Perti's six motets, composed between 1704 and 1706, showcasing the full range of his styles and instrumentation.
Composition History
Ferdinando de' Medici, a great patron of the arts, commissioned Giacomo Antonio Perti to compose a new motet annually for six years, continuing a tradition he started after a brief collaboration with Alessandro Scarlatti.
Instruments
The cornetto, an instrument almost in disuse by the late 17th century, experienced a small revival in Perti's Motets due to Ferdinando de' Medici's specific request.
Composer Biography
Giacomo Antonio Perti, a quintessential Bolognese composer, held the position of Maestro in San Petronio, Bologna's largest church, for sixty years until his death.
Compositional Technique
Perti's Motets combine operatic style with grandiose church music, featuring melodic recitatives, varied arias, and impressive double choirs with fugues.
