Claudio Monteverdi

[Tancata]

I'm still relatively new to Monteverdi, and of the madrigals I only have Book 8 in the recording by Rene Jacobs. Sounds great to me, sensitive to every word of the text and fleshed out with a lovely variety of keyboard instruments.

But since I have heard no other interpretation, such observations are worthless 

SO: I would like to investigate one of the complete or ongoing cycles of the madrigals - all eight books.

From research on the previous forum and elsewhere online, it seems the main choice is between Rinaldo Alessandrini on Naive and Marco Longhini on Naxos. I know which one I prefer on price, but both are highly recommended by multiple reviewers and members here. I haven't heard anything of Longhini or his ensemble Delitiae Musicae, but Alessandrini and Concerto Italiano are reasonably well-known to me - I like. Are the texts included in these sets?

So...suggestions? Are there important cycles I've missed? Perhaps Anthony Rooley?

Also, there's a box on Brilliant Classics which contains a lot of the madrigals...anyone have experience with that?

Thanks

[FideLeo]

There is another ongoing series on the Spanish label Glossa, containing performances by the group La Venexiana dir. Claudio Cavina.  I cannot comment on the quality of these since I have invested on the Alessandrini sets already.  My understanding is that the Naxos series by Longhini uses falsetto singsers on the treble parts which may sound weird to some ears.

Glossa page for the Venexiana

[val]

The 6th Book of Madrigals is very beautiful, and there is a splendid version of the Concerto Italiano with Alessandrini: some madrigals of this book are sublime, like La Sestina, Zefiro torna, Qui rise Tirsi.

The 8th Book by Alessandrini has great moments, but the excerpts recorded by William Christie are also very good.

There is a major flop in Alessandrini's interpretations: Il Ballo dell'Ingrate, incredibly artificial.

[Tancata]

Thanks guys. It looks like Alessandrini is worthwhile, but if anyone has heard the La Venexiana series some comments would be appreciated. I have heard good things about their other madrigal recordings but nothing about their Monteverdi cycle.

[val]

I never heard La Venexiana in Monteverdi. But their recording of Marenzio's 9th Book of Madrigals is remarkable.

Regarding Madrigals, my great wish would be a recording of Alessandrini or La Venexiana of the sublime Madrigals of Arcadelt. The only interpretation I have, the Consort of Musicke directed by Rooley shows a complete and absurd indifference regarding the words.

[FideLeo]

Glossa usually doesn't give out sound examples to websites but there are a lot at jpc. 
Example: monteverdi libro settimo bei jpc.de

BTW, from what little I heard of La Venexiana, it reminds me a lot of Alan Curtis couple of discs on Virgin who used mostly Italian singers - too bad Curtis focused on duets only, but many are selections from the madrigal books.

[Tancata]

Glossa usually doesn't give out sound examples to websites but there are a lot at jpc. 
Example: monteverdi libro settimo bei jpc.de

Thanks for linking those clips. From what I can hear there, Longhini and La Venexiana seem to be the best choices. Longhini sounds maybe more reverential, as if it was church music or something - the all-male thing adds to that impression, too. But these short clips aren't a sure way to tell.

[Michel]

Heard them on the radio, stunningly beautiful - therefore, I must buy some, but which?

[The new erato]

Heard them on the radio, stunningly beautiful - therefore, I must buy some, but which?

'

La Venexiana on Glossa. Or Alesandrini on Naive. For a different view (which I like a lot, but don't make them your only choice); the Naxos series. Start with the books nr 5 to 8 preferably.

[Anne]

I just received these CD's and bought them on Tancata's recommendation.  So far I've only learned the first tract but it is very beautiful.  Rene Jacobs conducts.


http://www.amazon.com/Monteverdi-Madrigali-guerrieri-amorosi-Concerto/dp/B00006L7TB/ref=sr_1_24/104-6944379-3143911?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1187207311&sr=1-24

[Tancata]

Yeah, Rene Jacobs' recording of Book 8 is superb. It's a very dramatic performance but funny when called for, and not afraid to be a little ragged here and there. The singers are mostly early music soloists in their own right. But don't take my word for it, read any review  .

[val]

The 6th Book by the Concerto Italiano is remarkable, with the best versions of the Sestina and Qui rise Tirsi that I ever heard.

But I wouldn't say the same regarding their version of the 8th Book. Il Ballo del Ingrate is almost ridiculous with all their preciosity.

[Josquin des Prez]

The 6th Book by the Concerto Italiano is remarkable, with the best versions of the Sestina and Qui rise Tirsi that I ever heard.

Are you talking about the one released under Arcana? The new one really isn't as impressive.

The Consort of Musicke are very good as well, but i'll be damned if i can find book VII anywhere.

[val]

Josquin des Prez

Are you talking about the one released under Arcana? The new one really isn't as impressive.

Yes, it is the ARCANA version of 1992.

Regarding the Book 7 I never found a version that pleased me, with the exception of some madrigals, such as Lettera Amorosa (fabulous version of Cathy Berberian) and Tirsi e Clori by Gardiner.

[KevinP]

A new SACD has been announced of this work:
http://www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/4979

Now can anyone tell if it's the same (wonderful!) recording from before or a new recording?

Although probably my favourite Vespers recording, I'd be reluctant to buy it again for the new format. It's not like they would have recorded it in 5.1 back in 1988.

If new, I'm all over it.

[Drasko]

Just a reissue:

Claudio MONTEVERDI Vespro della Beata Vergine
La Capella Reial / Jordi Savall
Here is the first re-issue from the Astrée-Naïve catalogue for 'Alia Vox Heritage'. One of Jordi Savall's legendary recordings, the Monteverdi Vespers was recorded in the Santa Barbara chapel in Mantova, Italy, the site of the première in 1610.The digipak is a work of art in itself and fully corresponds to Alia Vox's usual high production standards. The Alia Vox Heritage series will gradually release higlights from the recordings made by Jordi Savall between 1977 and 1997 for Astrée.
Alia vox 2SACDs AVSA9855

http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product/choice_preorder/AVSA9855.htm

[KevinP]

Darn.

Thanks for the confirmation though.

I still might...

[Que]

Relevant threads (of any significant length) on the old forum:

Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)
Monteverdi Vespers - Savall or Jacobs?
Monteverdi - L'Orfeo (Favola in Musica)

Two new interesting recordings of Lo'Orfeo have been issued: conducted by Rinaldo Alessandrini (Naïve) and by Claudio Cavina (Glossa)

 


Any comments on these or on "old" favourites like: Jacobs (HM), Garrido (K617), Haïm (Virgin) or Harnoncourt (Teldec)?




Seems to me we're absolutely spoilt for choice!

Over to you!

Q

[Shrunk]

Not to overlook Gardiner.

[Bogey]

Here are the recordings I have:

   

and this one below, but with a different cover: