Marco Longhini - Madrigals Book I - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Gesualdos Second Book of Madrigals, performed on this recording by male voices only, is an even more radical study of the themes explored in Volume 1 (8.570548), a continuation as it were of the same work. Like Book 1, it was published in 1594 in Ferrara during the preparations for Gesualdos second wedding, and demonstrates his ability to treat the poetic word as a source of musical ideas. The last two tracks present Gesualdos only two instrumental compositions.

Carlo Gesualdo, Prince of Venosa, became famous for two reasons The bloody double murder of his first wife and her lover and his passionate and erotic view of profane love.

Book Three of Gesualdo' Madrigals was published in 1595 and marked a strong change in his style. Rejecting leading poets of the time, Gesualdo preferred to set little known or indeed anonymous writers in order to evoke pathos and huge drama.