Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Ecco la primavera, ballata for 2 voices, S. 58
2. Lamento di Tristano, estampie
3. Giunta vaga biltà, ballata for 3 voices, S. 125
4. Questa fanciulla, Amor, ballata for 3 voices (also instrumental version), S. 116
5. Trotto, dance for instrumental ensemble
6. Deh, dimmi tu, madrigal for 3 voices, S. 216
7. Con dolce brama
8. Due saltarelli
9. Rosetta che non canbi may colore, balatta for 2 voices
10. Quan je voy le duc
11. Cara mie donna, ballata for 3 voices, S. 188
12. Benché la bionda treza, ballata for 2 voices, S. 88
13. La Manfredina et la Rotta
14. Donna 'l tuo partimento, ballata for 3 (or 2) voices, S. 106 (2 versions)
15. Chon brachi assai
16. Istampita, Ghaetta
17. Dà, dà, a chi avaregia
18. Fenice fu' e vissi pura e morbida, madrigal for 2 voices
19. Biance flour

Disc 2:

1. La favola d'Orfeo, opera, SV 318: Toccata
2. Sinfonia à 5
3. Belle ne fe natura, villanella for 3 voices (Il primo libro delle villanelle a 3 voci)
4. Chi dal delfino aita, madrigal for 6 voices
5. Se nelle voci nostre, madrigal for 12 voices
6. O figlie di Piero, madrigal for 18 voices
7. Dal vago e bel sereno à 6
8. O qual risplende nube, à 6
9. Godi, turba mortal, madrigal for soprano & 4 instruments
10. O fortunato giorno, à 30
11. O che nuovo miracolo, à 5 / à 3
12. Quando ritrovo la mia pastorella, frottola in 4 parts
13. Allemana-ripresa: Quando ritrova
14. lo son l'occello
15. Pavana, la Cornetta for consort
16. Gagliarda 'Giorgio'
17. Tri ciechi siamo
18. Io non compro più speranza, song
19. Ahimè sospiri
20. Forze d'Hercole
21. Orsu car' Signori
22. Pavana 'El colognese'
23. Era di Maggio
24. El Marchese Di Saluzzo
25. Bussa la porta
26. La Pastoreta, Catalan folk song

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #86768 in Music
• Released on: 1998-07-14
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .26 pounds

Customer Reviews

Munrow is magnificent
The first disc in this collection is delightful. David Munrow's recorder is a genuine treat. The vocal parts blend well and create a festive atmosphere. The Early Music Consort of London offer a splendid performance. By contrast, the second disc, which features Musica Reservata, is a bit disappointing. Two of the solo voices on disc two are harsh, detracting from an otherwise pleasant recording. They may fairly represent the performing style of sixteenth century Florence, but that is small consolation for the twentieth century ear. Nonetheless, the virtues of the first disc are sufficient to warrant purchasing this collection. Munrow is magnificent.

Ahh, Florence!!
Italian culture during the period from the 14th to the 16th centuries was a whirlwind of developing literature and art, and during this period of history Florence was a political and cultural center to rival Milan or Verona.
I love medieval and renaissance music. They are the "roots" of the great classics centuries later. One does not cultivate a complete education of art by studying only such Masters as Van Gogh, Renoir, Picasso, Dali etc. So it is with fine music.
These CD's contain examples of Florentine musical composition from the 1300's and 1500's. The first CD, performed by David Munrow and the Early Music Consort, covers compositions from the 1300's, with many of the works of Francesco Landini, the most prolific Florentine composer of this period. The second covers music from the 1500's and is performed by John Beckett and the Musica Reservata. Here we can see the early development of both symphonic structure and opera.
Both discs are wonderful examples of different periods in the history of musical development, and performed by different conductors and artists. Therefore a comparison between the two is unfair and misplaced. David Munrow and the Early Music Consort are superb, as I have always found them to be, and John Beckett and the Musica Reservata are equally enjoyable.
If you appreciate early music you will find this recording to be a fantastic addition to your collection, and perhaps the definitive collection of early Italian music. If you are unfamiliar with early music or with Italian Renaissance music then these CD's would be a wonderful introduction.

boccacio would be proud
this is a superb recording of early music it is well performed and played. the first cd is all music from the 1300,s and the second is from the 1500,s if you like the kind of music this is the cd to get well worth it.