La Compagnia del Madrigale - Primo Libro Di Madrigali - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

The only surviving version of Carlo Gesualdo's First Book of Madrigals was printed in spring 1594 by the typographer Vincenzo Baldini. At the time, the composer was twenty-eight years old and had just left behind the murder of his wife, in 1590. In this first publication Gesualdo probably collected pieces composed earlier than 1591. The music is written by a young author, far away from the better-known experimental composer of later years, yet is clear and faultless, and often very effective. With this album, the members of La Compagnia del Madrigale complete the project which was initiated more than 20 years ago, by then under the name of La Venexiana the recording of all six books of madrigals of Gesualdo, Prince of Venosa, for Glossa. Thanks to their deep knowledge of the music and the poetry of the time, their beautiful voices and precise tuning, and their exquisite mastery in expressing the affetti contained in these pieces, they have definitely set a reference for this demanding repertoire. Album Tracks 1. Primo Libro Di Madrigali 2. A Cinque Voci - Ferrara, 1594 3. Baci Soavi E Cari 4. Madonna, Io Ben Vorrei 5. Com'esser Può Ch'io Viva Se M'uccidi 6. Gelo Ha Madonna Il Seno 7. Mentre Madonna Il Lasso Fianco Posa 8. Se Da SÌ Nobil Mano 9. SÌ Gioioso Mi Fanno I Dolor Miei 10. O Dolce Mio Martire 11. Tirsi Morir Volea 12. Mentre, Mia Stella, Miri 13. Non Mirar, Non Mirare 14. Questi Leggiadri Odorosetti Fiori 15. Felice Primavera 16. Son SÌ Belle Le Rose 17. Bell'angioletta Dalle Vaghe Piume 18. Additional Tracks 19. Gagliarda Del Principe Di Venosa 20. Canzonetta - Come Vivi, Cor Mio 21. Canzonetta - All'ombra Degli Allori