Claudio Monteverdi, Anthony Rooley, Emma Kirkby, Evelyn Tubb, The Consort of Musicke, Kristine Szulik, Paul Agnew, Andrew King Mary Nichols, Alan Ewing, Allan Parkes Richard Edgar-Wilson - Monteverdi - Madrigali guerrieri et amorosi / Rooley, The Consort of Musicke

"Madrigali guerrieri et amorosi" ("Madrigals Warlike and Amorous") is how Claudio Monteverdi titled his eighth and largest book of madrigals--which was actually two volumes in one. The "warlike madrigals" (concerned largely with the "war of love") feature the "agitated style" Monteverdi pioneered: quick, almost nervous writing, lots of rapidly repeated notes, and more syllables than a Gilbert & Sullivan patter song. These works culminate in the famous short quasi-opera Il Combattimento de Tancredi e Clorinda. The "amorous madrigals" are no less ardent, but they are less, well, warlike--that is, more leisurely paced, with plenty of chromaticism, dissonant suspensions, and giddily virtuosic runs to depict the pain and excitement of love.

Anthony Rooley, Emma Kirkby, and the Consort of Musicke made these recordings in the early 1990s. While the performances were widely admired in their day, they're now universally considered (at least by those of us who actually spend time thinking about such things) to have been superseded by the remarkable work of Rinaldo Alessandrini and Concerto Italiano. It's true that some of the singing on the Consort's first disc is lackluster, but things perk right up with the young Paul Agnew's solo in Volgendo il ciel followed by an energetic Combattimento. Everyone's back in fine form for the "amorous" madrigals on the second disc; particularly notable are the virtuoso turns for Agnew, Andrew King, and Alan Ewing, as well as the Divine Miss Emma. Yes, Concerto Italiano is preferable if you can afford both of the full-price discs, but at the bargain price Virgin is charging for these reissues, you'll get more than your money's worth. --Matthew Westphal Amazon.com

a voice teacher and early music fan

EARLY MUSIC NEWS COMMENTING ON THE 'CONSORT OF MUSICKE': "THEY COULD HAVE NO BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR SKILL THAN IN THE MAGNIFICENT MADRIGALS BY MONTEVERDI'S ATTENTION TO CLARITY OF PRONUNCIATION AND THE NATURAL RHYTHMIC MOVEMENT OF THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE...HAS ALWAYS BEEN A STRENGTH OF THE GROUP." And in addition the Consort is distinguished by vitality, excitement and progressive exploration. Enough said!!!

Montrverdo's eighth book of madrigals was the last to be published in his lifetime and represents a summation of his work in this genre. As its title implies, the eighth book is divided into two sections, devoted respectively to madrigals of war and madrigals of love.

In his long preface to the volume, Monteverdi referred to the 'humours' in man (an idea current in his era) concluding that it should be possible for music to inspire calmness as well as agitation(relating to love and war) in its listeners. In fact,he claimed to have invented a new agitated style in 'Il Combattimento'. With the tender and impassioned style, the 'Madrigali amoroso' provided the perfect foil to the 'Madrigali guerrieri'.

This two CD set is a real treasure for Monteverdi fans. The singers are skilled in this genre and are totally enjoyable to hear. They are:Emma Kirkby & Evelyn Tubb (sopranos)- Mary Nichols & Kristine Szulik (altos)-Paul Agnew,Andrew King and Richard Edgar Wilson (tenors)- Alan Ewing and Allan Parkes (basses). December 5, 2007

Mature Monteverdi at his best!

This interpetation of the 8th (and last) book of madrigals by Claudio Monteverdi is the best I've heard. Nine perfectly balanced voices with clear but restrained period instrumentation show off the music in its polyphonic and chromatic brilliance. Solo passages are sung with great attention to the phrasing and dynamic possibilities inherent in the score. The overall effect is one of intimate brilliance.

The enginnering of the recording was excellent. The only disapointment was a dearth of information about the text of the score.

Highly recommended!! May 11, 2000

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