Pulchra es: Affetti in 17th-century Italian Instrumental Music

Featuring

Giulia Genini
Alessandro Palmeri
Michele Pasotti
Il Ricercar Continuo
Dario Castello
Giovanni Antonio Bertoli

Giuseppe Colombi
Francesco Rognoni Taeggio
Giovanni Battista Fontana
Andrea Falconieri
Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger
Giovanni Battista Vitali
Giovanni Antonio Pandolfi Mealli
Marco Uccellini
Bartolomé de Selma y Salaverde

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Composer's Artistic Vision

In early 17th-century Italy, 'Affetto' (feelings) was a key concept, meaning to influence or elicit emotions in the listener through music, often by imitating the singing voice.

Historical Context

The first half of the 17th century was a period of significant innovation in Western music, marked by the birth of opera and flourishing instrumental music.

Compositional Technique

Composers and players in the early 17th century aimed to surprise audiences with special effects and innovative technical solutions, often emulating virtuoso singers' improvised embellishments called 'diminutions'.

Instruments

The album features various period instruments, including recorders and dulcians by Francesco Livirghi and Laurent Verjat, an 18th-century Italian cello, and a theorbo by Giuseppe Tumiati.

Interpretation

The performers, Il Ricercar Continuo, interpret this music as a trio, with each member playing multiple instruments and taking on different roles, reflecting the flexibility of 17th-century Italian instrumental compositions.

Historical Context

The term 'Sonata' in the early 17th century simply meant a piece to be played, without the later structural implications of alternating Allegro and Adagio movements.