Somm's Giulio Caccini and His Circle, featuring the English period vocal ensemble La Nuova Musica led by countertenor David Bates, is scrupulously researched, has well written notes (though in a very small typeface), and observes a solid premise behind investigating the "new music" current in Venice in the early decades of the 1600s, the flashpoint of the Baroque. One might argue about the inclusion of lutenist Giovanni Kapsberger in the mix, as he is often thought of as belonging to a somewhat later time than this is ...
Read More
Somm's Giulio Caccini and His Circle, featuring the English period vocal ensemble La Nuova Musica led by countertenor David Bates, is scrupulously researched, has well written notes (though in a very small typeface), and observes a solid premise behind investigating the "new music" current in Venice in the early decades of the 1600s, the flashpoint of the Baroque. One might argue about the inclusion of lutenist Giovanni Kapsberger in the mix, as he is often thought of as belonging to a somewhat later time than this is supposed to represent, not to mention being based in Rome, as was Peter Philips. Nevertheless, the Kapsberger Toccata included here does not disturb to the flow of the program and, conversely, adds to it. Although the continuo is minimal indeed -- one longs for a bass viol to enter the building -- all of the accompaniments are well played and within the parlance of what we know about continuo accompaniment in this very early time. All of the foregoing elements with Somm's Giulio Caccini...
Read Less