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Gesualdo - Madrigals in 5-parts
Les Arts Florissants, William Christie
Gesualdo's unnerving music produces some tuning problems and Christie's insertion of instruments is odd. But his telling interpretations make this a welcome, compelling reissue.
Gesualdo - Madrigals in 5-parts
Les Arts Florissants, William Christie
Purchase product
Gesualdo's unnerving music produces some tuning problems and Christie's insertion of instruments is odd. But his telling interpretations make this a welcome, compelling reissue.
About
Love, desire and death – these are the three themes that pervade the musical poetry of Don Carlo Gesualdo, Prince of Venosa, which has become a byword for tortured emotion. These madrigals are the clearest depiction in his output of the torments of the soul, offering a faithful musical image of the ‘sweet poison’ which eats into lovers’ hearts . . .
Contents and tracklist
Awards and reviews
June 2009
Gesualdo's unnerving music produces some tuning problems and Christie's insertion of instruments is odd. But his telling interpretations make this a welcome, compelling reissue.
September 2009
…Les Arts Florissants recorded this more than 20 years ago and… its hardly aged at all. This includes excerpts from Books 3 and 6, interspersed with strikingly detailed performances on the harp from Andrew Lawrence-King. In their rhythmic freedom they seem to prefigure what Italian ensembles would achieve a few years later, but the cast is a very fine one, and the choice of pieces superb.
