The Modenese firebrand, lute virtuoso, composer, poet and artist Bellerofonte Castaldi (1580–1649) – the Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen of his day – set his own poems to his own music in a lyrical style that captured the dynamism of the emerging Baroque. Castaldi’s dance-songs and madrigals for one, two or more voices – drawn from his monody collection Primo mazzetto (Venice, 1623) and the manuscript Modena 239 (c. 1670) – framed his hopes, dreams and disappointments with fresh and unforgettable melodies. The duos for theorbo and tiorbino, a tiny theorbo that Castaldi himself invented, are contrapuntal showpieces from his Capricci a due stromenti (Modena, 1622), a highly unusual collection of theorbo solos and duos, songs and poetry that he himself engraved and decorated with his own freehand artwork.
‘...finely crafted and occasionally virtuosic duets... […] Dolata and Coelho are sure-fingered and refined lutenists… pure, flexible voices’
‘Il nuovo cd della piccola etichetta inglese Toccata Classics è una piacevolissima scoperta. Non tanto per l’autore… quanto per la bellezza della musica, che sorprende per la sua modernità e dunque per l’immediatezza. […] Queste erano le vere “Hits” del secolo e riascoltando questo disco, capiamo bene il perchè.’ ‘… a delightful discovery. Not only for the composer... but also for the beauty of the music, which is surprising in its modernity and immediacy. […] These were the ‘Hits’ of the century and listening to this disc, you can well understand why’ *****
Gabriele Formenti
‘This disc offers a most interesting and musically captivating portrait of an intriguing early 17th century Italian figure.’
Johan van Veen
‘...quite stunning… The virtuosity of the Italians is equally matched by the soprano Janet Youngdahl who negotiates the stratosphere with ease… […] beautifully performed by Dolata and Coelho with crisp sense of rhythm, neat passage work, beautifully clear contrapuntal lines and nicely judged contrasts in dynamics. […] a vivid portrait of one of the most talented composers of the early 17th century.’
Monica Hall
Download Round-up March 2010 ‘I agree with Johann van Veen in welcoming this enterprising recording’
Brian Wilson
‘The performers on this disc are internationally known masters... From the outset we are treated to a concert from this “free-spirit” composer as he might have presented it. [...] This disc is an excellent introduction to a long-lost Italian artistic genius and a highly polished project worthy of your attention.’
Paul-James Dwyer
