Frescobaldi: Fiori musicali

Frescobaldi: Fiori Musicali, vol. 1
Messa della Domenica
Lorenzo Ghielmi / Canticum
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 77331
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 82876 68355

Under Construction


It is well-known that this publication was copied out by the young J.S. Bach, and it continues to be one of Frescobaldi's most-admired. It would appear to be his consummation of a tradition pioneered by such Venetian composers as Merulo.

The cycle itself consists of three organ masses, following norms which had developed in Italy in the 16th century, but incorporating some secular features in a very Frescobaldi-esque way, notably the affetti. The specific series of three masses is likewise traditionally derived.

The next volume of this series:

Frescobaldi: Fiori Musicali, vol. 2
Messa della Madonna
Lorenzo Ghielmi / Canticum
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 77345

Another recent high-profile rendition:

Frescobaldi: Fiori Musicali
Ton Koopman
Erato Musifrance 96544

A couple of recordings as part of complete series:

Frescobaldi: Fiori Musicali
Rinaldo Alessandrini
Astrée 8714 (2 CDs)
Frescobaldi: Fiori Musicali
Sergio Vartolo
Tactus 580690 (2 CDs)

Programs of similar material performed by mixed instrumental & vocal ensemble:

Frescobaldi: Messa sopra l'Aria della Monica
Il Teatro Armonico - Alessandro De Marchi
Symphonia 91S08
Frescobaldi: Messa sopra L'Aria di Fiorenza
Ensemble San Felice - Federico Bardazzi
Bongiovanni 5603

The first mass is actually one of Frescobaldi's small handful of sacred vocal works, scored for eight voices and surviving in manuscript.

A broader survey by the present performer:

Pärt: Tintinnabulum
w/ Byrd, Kotter, Redford, Schlick, De Macque
Lorenzo Ghielmi
Winter & Winter 55

Finally, a quality recording devoted to a similar mass cycle by Claudio Merulo (1533-1604), who deserves to be much better-known for this genre:

Merulo: Missa in dominicis diebus / Toccata / Magnificat
Frédéric Muñoz / Grupo Vocal Gregor - Dante Andreo
Naxos 8.553334

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To FAQ references to this recording.

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Todd M. McComb