Search - Emilio de' Cavalieri, Giovanni Maria Trabaci, Francesco Corbetta :: Sonate Al Pizzico

Magic gondola ride

J. TIMMERMAN | Lawson, NSW Australia | 06/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a delicious collection of pieces from the pens of Cavalieri, Trabaci, Corbetta, Frescobaldi, Castaldi, Kapsberger, Granata and Monteverdi, played on the arpia doppia (double harp) by Maxine Eilander and the chitarrone or the 5-course Spanish baroque guitar by Stephen Stubbs. The blend of the two instruments is delightfully rich and always sounds just right for the repertoire, which conjures up the ancient airs and dances that inspired Respighi to write his famous suites.



The music comes from a time, the early 17th century, when new genres were emerging in Italy, like the opera, oratorio, monodic song and instrumental toccata. It was a time of change and the arpa doppia, the chitarrone and the chitarra spagnola were right in the thick of things. The triple harp flourished in Naples and Florence, especially through the works of Mayone and Trabaci. The designation "arpa doppia" however first appears in Monteverdi's opera "L'Orfeo" of 1607. The Florentine "Intermedi" for the Medici wedding of 1589 include the arpa doppia and the newly developed chitarrone, a large lute with extra bass strings. Kapsberger was one of the first virtuosi to write for the chitarrone (also known as a theorbo). The 5-course Spanish guitar emerged in Spain in the late 16th century, becoming popular in Italy through the virtuoso playing and compositions of Francesco Corbetta.



This charming, elegant music testifies to the magnificence of that era. The confidence and fluency exhibited by Eilander and Stubbs tops off the allurement, and the recording is bright and detailed. Thoroughly enjoyable.

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