This release is dedicated to one of the most esteemed musical practices of the Renaissance: the art of accompanying the voice with the viola da gamba. Cantare alla viola (singing with a viol) is the name for this practice, which was quite common at the time. The art of this practice lies in the ability of the "viola" player to arrange and play madrigals to accompany one single voice, as a lutenist or vihuela player commonly does. Cantar alla Viola has careful selected some of the finest pieces of the Italian Renaissance in order to illustrate the intimate and skillful musical practice of Cantare alla viola. The pieces vary from the subtle and transparent trecento 2-voice ballades of Magister Piero and Andrea da Firenze played on the viella, to the exquisite and virtuous madrigals for one soprano by Luzzascho Luzasschi, accompanied by the viola da gamba. The Renaissance villanelle and 3-voice madrigals by Luca Marenzio and Costanzo Festa, are adapted for the polyphonic playing of two different bowed vihuelas. Solo pieces have been added to the release to show the instrumental practice on a bowed vihuela through arrangements of lute and keyboard pieces by composers such as Marco Antonio Cavazzoni or Francesco da Milano.

Tracklist:

Aura Soave
Amor Tien Il Suo Regno
Se Mai Vedete Amanti
Mort M'a Privé À 4
Amor, L'mi Lamento
Villanelle, Book 1: Lasso Non È Cor Mio Ch'io Ti Rimiri
Io Vorrei Dio D'amore
Villanelle, Book 1: Con La Fronte Fiorita E I Crin'ardenti
Villanelle, Book 1: Al Primo Vostro Sguardo
Dicemi La Mia Stella
Ricercare No. 2
Ogni Diletto
Altro Non È'l Mio Amor
O Primavera
Alma Che Fai, Che Pensi
Le Rose, Fronde E Fiori
Ahime Che Col Fuggire
Ricercare No. 7
Chavalcando Con Un Giovine Accorto
Madonna Io Mi Consumo
Ch'io Non T'ami Cor Mio

UPC: 880040212522
Label: Quartz
Release Date: 4.6.18
Format: CD

Antonio / Viola / Marin - Italian Renaissance Music (CD)