Trabaci: Consonanze stravaganti (Whimsical harmonies)

Bruce Dickey is one of a handful of musicians worldwide who have dedicated themselves to reviving the cornetto. For this collection, he has chosen a wide range of pieces; instrumental canzonas by composers of the Neapolitan school (Tartaglino, Mayone and Trabaci), six canzonas by the Venetian Guami, four sets of divisions on motets and madrigals and three solo motets with basso continuo.

Rec.date: 1998

As soloist and director of his ensemble L'Amoroso, founded in 1997, Guido Balestracci plays throughout Europe, the USA, South America and Asia. His recordings have met with an enthusiastic reception from the press and the public, winning such awards as the Goldberg Prize, 10 de Répertoire, Diapason d’Or and Diapason decouverte. He regularly appears with distinguished artists as Jordi Savall, Paolo Pandolfo, Emma Kirkby, Gabriel Garrido, Christophe Coin and Christophe Rousset. This recording – previously available on the Symphonia label under the title “Consonanze Stravaganti” – presents Italian music for consort of viols. The programme comprises of compositions written specifically for viols together with arrangements of compositions originally for other instruments.

Roberto Festa and his Ensemble Daedalus present a superbly expressive picture on the subject of “melancholy” in 16th and 17th century music.