Giovanni Antonini and Shen-Fang Chiu form a leading recorder duo who enjoy exploring varied and unexpected repertoires. This album is named after a piece composed by Giovanni Sollima in 2024: it pays tribute to William Byrd and combines the tenor recorder with the sopranino recorder, the perfect imitator of birdsong. This programme spans the ages, from the art of diminution and improvisation in the 15th century to Bartok's duets from the 1930s - originally composed for two violins - via the refined duets of Jacques Hottetere in the 18th century and a sonata by Telemann from 1727. Don't miss Nuovo ricercare No. 4 (1973) by Amico Dolci, child prodigy of the flute and son of the great sociologist and pacifist Danilo Dolci. The two instrumentalists have mischievously chosen to highlight this quote from Shakespeare's Hamlet: '[playing the recorder] is as easy as lying: control these holes with your fingers and thumb, blow with your mouth, and it will produce the most eloquent music...'

Tracklist:

Aquila Altera (After Jacopo Da Bologna) from the Manuscript Codex Faenza, Biblioteca Comunale, Ms 117 (15th Century)
PremiÃ¨re Suite de PiÃ¨ces A Deux Dessus Sans Basse Op. 4-Gravement - Gay
PremiÃ¨re Suite de PiÃ¨ces A Deux Dessus Sans Basse Op. 4-Allemande
PremiÃ¨re Suite de PiÃ¨ces A Deux Dessus Sans Basse Op. 4-Rondeau, Tendre. Les Tourterelles. Gracieusement
PremiÃ¨re Suite de PiÃ¨ces A Deux Dessus Sans Basse Op. 4-Rondeau, Gay
PremiÃ¨re Suite de PiÃ¨ces A Deux Dessus Sans Basse Op. 4-Gigue
PremiÃ¨re Suite de PiÃ¨ces A Deux Dessus Sans Basse Op. 4-Passacaille
Amarilli Mia Bella (From Der Fluyten Lust-Hof)
Constantia (After An Anonymous French Virelai) (From the Manuscript Codex Faenza)
Nuovo Ricercare No. 4 Per Due Flauti Dolci Contralti, Partinico, Maggio 1973-I. Il Dialogo Cerca Di Uscire Dal Convenzionale
Nuovo Ricercare No. 4 Per Due Flauti Dolci Contralti, Partinico, Maggio 1973-II. Con Astio Reciproco
Nuovo Ricercare No. 4 Per Due Flauti Dolci Contralti, Partinico, Maggio 1973-III. Come Due Colori Si Fondono in Uno
Nuovo Ricercare No. 4 Per Due Flauti Dolci Contralti, Partinico, Maggio 1973-IV. Voci. La Prima Serena; la Seconda Pettegola, Te
Indescort (Diminution on the Anonymous Ballad a Discort Sont Desir Et Esperance) (From the Manuscript Codex Faenza)
Duo (The Baldwin Commonplace Book, R.M.24.D.2)
Honte, Paour, Doubtance (Based on Ballade from Guillaume de Machaut) (From the Manuscript Codex Faenza)
Sonata No. 5 in D minor Op. 2, TWV 40:104-Largo
Sonata No. 5 in D minor Op. 2, TWV 40:104-Vivace
Sonata No. 5 in D minor, Op. 2, TWV 40:104-Grazioso
Sonata No. 5 in D minor, Op. 2, TWV 40:104-Allegro
Upon la Mi Re (From British Library Manuscript Add. Ms 29996 (16th Century)
Byrd and the Bird

UPC: 3701624511596
Label: Alpha
Release Date: 4.24.26
Format: CD

Giovanni Antonini - Byrd & The Bird (CD)