Balestracci

Grand ballet is an apt title for Paolo Pandolfo’s latest release, reflecting not only Marais’s predilection for dance music but also the fact that he was reported to play the viol ‘with his bow always in the air’. The same might be said of Paolo Pandolfo, whose lithe, balletic style and iridescent sound distinguish him from his peers. He’s supported, too, by a brilliant continuo group, whose daring, stylish realisations contribute to performances which are at once ebullient and intoxicating.

Mateo Flecha the elder (1481–1553), better known than his son, composed ensaladas from 1543 to 1548, when he was in charge of music for Maria and Juana, the two daughters of Charles V; his service ended when Maria married her cousin, the future Maximilian II. The form, popular in 16th-century Spain, consisted of a narrative interrupted by quotations of other texts, making up a “salad” that could be varied according to the composer’s taste. They were invariably centered on the themes of Advent and Christmas. Six of these works have been available on disc in multiple versions, notably collections by Paul van Nevel La justa tells the story of redemption as a knightly tournament in which Lucifer defeats Adam and in turn is overcome by the newborn Savior.

Retrouvailles importantes pour l'histoire de l'opéra que cet enregistrement de la première Clemenzo di Tito, l'un des plus fameux livrets de Pietro Metastasio, immortalisé par Mozart et Gluck. Antonio Caldara, le " Bach italien" installé à Vienne à la cour de Charles VI après une carrière à Barcelone, est un jalon musical essentiel entre Scarlatti, Porpora et les classiques viennois. Il partagera avec Metastasio, poète lauréat, le devant de la scène autrichienne pendant vingt ans. A l'écoute de certains numéros de cette oeuvre donnée le 4novembre 1734 dans des décors de Giuseppe Galli Bibiena, on comprend l'impact de Caldara comme compositeur lyrique…

Tra biografia e racconto d'armi, le vite di John Hawkwood, soldato inglese ribattezzato Giovanni Acuto, e dei condottieri al soldo. Attraverso la vita eccezionale di colui che è stato il più grande, stimato e temuto condottiero al soldo dei fiorentini, l'autore descrive le esistenze dei cavalieri e guerrieri mercenari, l'apprendistato delle armi, la struttura delle compagnie, il rapporto con la gente e i committenti, il denaro, gli strumenti del mestiere e la trasformazione delle compagnie di ventura in eserciti regolari. …