Naive
2006
Monteverdi: Madrigali Guerrieri Et Amorosi, Libro 8
About This Album
This three-disc box combines several recordings by the Concerto Italiano and leader Rinaldo Alessandrini, dating back to 1998; the result is a complete set of Monteverdi's madrigals of Book Eight. The word "madrigal" was fast losing its meaning by this late stage in Monteverdi's career, and the works contained here are of various kinds. One can get the highlights -- the intensely dramatic Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda and Il ballo delle ingrate (here on disc one) by themselves, but there's a strong case to be made for hearing all the music as it was grouped in the seventeenth century. Monteverdi essentially forged the language of opera in his madrigals -- from some Florentine experiments in Greek declamation he evolved an ever more precise musical language of affects and emotions. This language reaches its peak in the eighth book, and the shorter madrigals show the subtlety of Monteverdi's genius by providing a counterpoint to the large dramatic works. It's possible to find recordings of Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda that place heavier emphasis on the blood-and-guts aspects of Torquato Tasso's poem of the Crusades: try that by the Ensemble Akadêmia under conductor Françoise Lassere. And there are smaller, chamber-sized versions of Monteverdi, intended for the study where the cognoscenti would gather rather than for the garden or great room of an Italian castle. For sheer dramatic insight married to exquisite technical mastery, however, Alessandrini is unmatched. Monteverdi's madrigals are emerging into public consciousness as the masterpieces they are, and soon, as with Beethoven symphonies, listeners will be able to pick and choose among interpretations based on personal preference. But it will be a long time before you can go wrong with these. ~ James Manheim, All Music Guide
Track List

Disc 1

Combattimento Di Tancredi E Clorinda, Dramatic Cantata (from Book 8), SV 153
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Ballo Delle Ingrate, Semi-dramatic Ballet (from Book 8), SV 167
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Disc 2

Madrigals, Book 8 (Madrigali Guerrieri, Et Amorosi), For 1,2,3,4 & 6 Voices, SV 146-167
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2.
Lamento Della Ninfa, Madrigal In 3 Sections For 1-4 Voices (from Book 8), SV 163
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4.
Vago Augelletto, Che Cantando Vai, Madrigal For 7 Voices, 2 Violins & Continuo (from Book 8), SV 156
5.
Perchè T'en Fuggi, O Fillide?, Madrigal For Alto, Tenor & Bass (from Book 8), SV 164
6.
Altri Canti Di Marte, Madrigal For 6 Voices And 2 Violins (from Book 8), SV 155
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Ogni Amante È Guerrier, Madrigal In 4 Sections For 1-3 Voices (from Book 8), SV 151
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Hor Ch'el Ciel E La Terra E'l Vento Tace, Madrigal For 6 Voices And 2 Violins (from Book 8), SV 147
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14.
Gira Il Nemico Insidioso, Madrigal For Alto, Tenor & Bass (from Book 8), SV 148
15.
Madrigals, Book 8 (Madrigali Guerrieri, Et Amorosi), For 1,2,3,4 & 6 Voices, SV 146-167
16.
Ardo, Avvampo, Mi Struggo, Madrigal For 8 Voices And 2 Violins (from Book 8), SV 152
17.

Disc 3

Madrigals, Book 8 (Madrigali Guerrieri, Et Amorosi), For 1,2,3,4 & 6 Voices, SV 146-167
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Se Vittorie Si Belle, Madrigal For 2 Tenors (from Book 8 & 9), SV 149
5.
Su, Su, Su, Pastorelli Vezzosi, Madrigal For 2 Sopranos & Alto (from Book 8), SV 166
6.
Ardo E Scoprir, Ahi Lasso, Io Non Ardisco, Madrigal For 2 Tenors (from Book 8 & Book 9), SV 158
7.
Chi Vol Haver Felice E Lieto Il Core, Madrigal For 5 Voices (from Book 8), SV 162
8.
Armato Il Cor D'adamantina Fede, Madrigal For 2 Tenors (from Book 8, 9, & Scherzi Musicale), SV 150
9.
Non Partir, Ritrosetta, Madrigal For 2 Altos & Bass (from Book 8), SV 165
10.
O Sia Tranquillo Il Mare, Madrigal For 2 Tenors (from Book 8 & 9), SV 159
11.
Mentre Vaga Angioletta Ogn'anima Gentil Cantando Alletta, Madrigal For 2 Tenors (from Book 8), SV 157
12.
Ninfa Che Scalza Il Piede, Madrigal In 3 Sections For 2 & 3 Voices (from Book 8), SV 160
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