Benedetto Marcello: Lo Speccio della Nostalgia

Benedetto Marcello (Composer), Francesco Moi (Conductor), Accademia degli Invaghiti (Performer), Anna Simbola (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Accademia degli Invaghiti, Anna Simbola
• Conductor: Francesco Moi
• Composer: Benedetto Marcello
• Audio CD (October 2, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Tactus Records
• ASIN: B00005QDAU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #282,887 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a voice teacher and early music fan, February 2, 2008

By 

George Peabody "Ariel" (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Benedetto Marcello: Lo Speccio della Nostalgia (Audio CD)

LOVE THE MUSIC ON THIS DISC; BUT NO ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS:TSK! TSK!! TSK!!

The majority of Benedetto Marcello's (1686-1739) compositions date from the early years of his life. Besides several oratorios, operas and large scale scenic 'Serenate', he wrote over 400 solo cantatas, three of which are herein recorded.

The decision to perform these cantatas with a string quartet (minus bass violin) was suggested by the composer himself. Marcello alternates quite often between orchestral writing and that for a solo instrument per part, specifically indicated by him: violin I, violin II, viola and cello. Taken as a whole, these cantatas trace a line of stylistic development which tends toward the expressive characteristics of Classicism and the 'galant' period. Particularly striking is the composer's ability to focus upon an emotion and redesign it through the music; we are directly met with pure emotional states without any sort of intellectual filter "separation, distance, nostalgia". The instruments often imply a musical symbolism which highlights the significance of the text. A case in point, as the listener will hear, is the amazing lament of Ariadne in the cantata 'Arianna abbandonata'.

For the performance, Marcello prescribed that "it should be precise and without arbitrary ornament, particularly in the solo parts, keeping in mind that we are singing often of divine matters to be expressed in the skill of a fine voice, with the solemnity and affection of a devoted and resigned heart. It should not be done without brilliant musicians, giving the exact tempo, perfect vocal support, well articulated and with the right intonation". TO WHICH I SAY: BRAVO MARCELLO!!!!

I do think that this recording fulfills all of Marcello's performance requirements, and but for the information all in Italian, it's really a ten-star recording. The soloists: soprano Anna Simboli (sings with much flexibility and emotion AND lovely sound throughout the range)-countertenor Martin Oro has a 'dream' voice rich and full and somewhat exotic. The accompanying group is skilled and plays with finesse and passion!.

I really LOVED this music, but got so angry when I saw no English translation. My Italian is not to the point where I can translate all words without some effort. How about you????