In the seventeenth century, the city of Naples was considered one of Europe’s most important musical centers. Someone who helped Naples attain this renown by means of his musical and compositional talent was Andrea Falconieri. From Naples, the lutenist’s path took him via Parma to Florence, where he published his Primo libro di Villanelle in 1616, and with which he won the favor of the ruling Medici family. A part of the music on this recording comes from this collection, which Falconieri composed in the then fashionable monodic style. In fleet-footed melodic arches, Jan van Elsacker sings of the joys and also of the little pains of love. The other pieces also appear to have been tailor-made for the United Continuo Ensemble; they come from Falconieri’s late Primo libro of 1650, which contains dance movements for one to three instruments and basso continuo, and offers the spirited lute and violin players a wealth of catchy, groovy instrumental pieces. A CD that won’t let you go.
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