COMPOSERS: Caccini,Gesualdo,Handel & Vivaldi,Kapsberger,Lambardi,Landi,Monteverdi,Rognoni,Strozzi,Vitali
LABELS: Virgin Veritas
WORKS: Works by Monteverdi, Caccini, Lambardi, Gesualdo, Rognoni, Kapsberger, Landi, Strozzi, Vitali, Handel & Vivaldi
PERFORMER: Tragicomedia
CATALOGUE NO: VER 5 61311 2
‘Sprezzatura’ is hardly a word in common parlance, nowadays, but once upon a time, and especially in the early years of the 17th century it signified an important aspect of Baroque declamation.
It was Caccini, in 1602, who gave ‘sprezzatura’ its musical connotation, using the word to describe his aim to respect the rhythm and cadences of ordinary speech. Caccini is but one among many composers, ranging from Monteverdi to Handel, whose music is included in a fascinating instrumental survey by Tragicomedia, exploring the notion of sprezzatura throughout the Baroque period. Nicholas Anderson