Conductor Jean Tubéry and his Ensemble La Fenice have made a series of recordings of music from the 17th century, often exploring quite obscure repertories, which are satisfying for both specialists and the generally curious. Here they perform a group of Christmas pieces from the early part of the century, from transalpine lands as well from Italy, in spite of the album title. A few familiar names, including Monteverdi and Carissimi, are represented, but the bulk of the program will be new to most listeners. Its sound, ...
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Conductor Jean Tubéry and his Ensemble La Fenice have made a series of recordings of music from the 17th century, often exploring quite obscure repertories, which are satisfying for both specialists and the generally curious. Here they perform a group of Christmas pieces from the early part of the century, from transalpine lands as well from Italy, in spite of the album title. A few familiar names, including Monteverdi and Carissimi, are represented, but the bulk of the program will be new to most listeners. Its sound, however, will be familiar: what you're hearing here are vocal and instrumental pieces in the pastoral tradition that led up to the so-called Christmas Concerto of Arcangelo Corelli, the Concerto Grosso in G minor, Op. 6, No. 8. That work doesn't appear on the album, but, even though it's many decades newer than the music that is heard, it might have been good to include (at least for nonspecialist listeners): it is fascinating to hear how it distills the various little codes signifying...
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