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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Gesualdo: Madrigali libro secondo, 1594
Gesualdo’s Second Book of Madrigals, performed on this recording by male voices only, is an even more radical study of the themes explored in Volume 1 (8570548), a continuation as it were of the same work. Like Book 1, it was published in 1594 in Ferrara during the preparations for Gesualdo’s second wedding, and demonstrates his ability to treat the poetic word as a source of musical ideas. The last two tracks present Gesualdo’s only two instrumental compositions. “I've found myself warming to the overall approach, which is relaxed and unhurried. This, combined with the ensemble's sound, securely underpinned by Walter Testolin's bass, allows points of detail to tell (for example, final or sectional cadences) that might otherwise be skated over.” Gramophone Magazine, February 2011 “for the most part the 20 settings in book two...mostly inhabit the musical world of Gesualdo's older contemporaries such as De Rore and De Wert. But even if they broke no new ground, these are still pieces of great beauty and lyrical force, as the performances by the six male voices of Delitiae Musicae show.” The Guardian, 20th January 2011 **** | | | (also available to download from $6.00) | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.) |
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| |  | Gesualdo: Madrigali libro secondo, 1594
| | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Gesualdo: Six books of madrigals for five voices
Karla Schlean (soprano), Clara Foti (mezzo-soprano), Elena Mazzoni (contralto), Rodolfo Farolfi (tenor), Gastone Sarti (baritone) & Dmitri Nabokov (bass) Quintetto Vocale Italiano A fascinating compilation detailing the highly expressive music of Prince, composer and murderer Carlo Gesualdo – one of history’s most colourful figures. Gesualdo’s first six books of madrigals remain his best-known music. While Nos. 1 and 2 rely on mastery of traditional counterpoint, it is in Books 3 and 4 that Gesualdo’s compositional idiosyncrasies – subtle rhythmic irregularities and unusual harmonic intervals – begin to dominate. By the time we reach the final two books, a fully mature style is in evidence: abounding in rich chromaticism, these collections contain a wealth of striking songs in which extremes of emotion are represented. Gesualdo’s daring and forward-looking language was born out of his belief that music must be subservient to textual meaning, and his status as a nobleman allowed him to pursue this position unhindered. Featuring Quintetto Vocale Italiano’s pioneering performance of the works, this release movingly traces the development of a composer whose intensely expressive music was centuries ahead of its time. First complete recording of this dramatic and historically significant body of music: a hugely important set in the wider dissemination of Gesualdo’s oeuvre. Sung texts available from www.newtonclassics.com | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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