An introduction to Il Seicento by Music Director Elisa Citterio
Il Seicento is a program that explores the evolution of Italian instrumental music written in the first half of the 17th century. When performing this music, vocality is the first point of reference, and one searches for “words” in the sound of the strings. At the same time, the rhythm of the dance is ever present. These two fascinating aspects of early baroque music alternate in a seamless cadence of contrasting affects and sounds.
In curating this program, I strove to order the pieces such that the musical chiaroscuri were connected by different voices each time, improvising short bridges between the pieces. In this way we have created a series of little musical adventures, each an excursion through various passions.
The Lute Player by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, c. 1596
When playing or hearing this music my mind’s eye turns to Caravaggio’s paintings, works which forever changed Italian and European art. Reality is described without veils, with its natural light and shade, highlighting the contrasts and the drama. The message of this art and this music resonates particularly deeply at this extraordinary time: we are reminded that midst the darkness of daily worries, beautiful moments can be enjoyed in the light.
Elisa Citterio
Music Director
Il Seicento
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Program
Maurizio Cazzati
1616–1678
Capriccio sopra sette note (1659)
Giovanni Girolamo Kapsperger
c.1580–1651
Sinfonia XVII à 4 con due bassi (1615)
Canario (1640)
Sinfonia XIII à un canto (1615)
Andrea Falconieri
1585/6–1656
Canzon à 3 detta L’infante archibizzara (1650)
Passacalle
Ciaccona
Biagio Marini
1594–1663
Capriccio, che due violini sonana quattro parti (1629)
Passacalio à 4 (1655)
Sonata sopra la Monica (1629)
Domenico Gabrielli
1659–1690
Sonata a violoncello solo, con il basso continuo
Alessandro Piccinini
1566–c.1638
Partite variate sopra quest’Aria francese detta l’Alemana (1623)
Giovanni Maria Trabaci
c.1575–1647
Gagliarda terza (1603)
Dario Castello
fl. 1620s
Sonata XV à 4 (1629)
Marco Uccellini
c.1603–1680
Aria sopra la Bergamesca (1642)
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra
Program curated by Elisa Citterio, Music Director
Violin Elisa Citterio, Patricia Ahern & Christopher Verrette
Viola Brandon Chui
Viola da gamba Felix Deak
Violoncello Keiran Campbell
Violone Pippa Macmillan
Theorbo/Guitar Lucas Harris
Harpsichord/Organ Christopher Bagan
Thank You to our Generous Donors
Tafelmusik is deeply grateful to our generous donors who have continued to support us through this challenging time. Your support has inspired us to remain strong and to deliver joy to our community through our music, and will enable us to persevere until we can once again perform live for you, our cherished patrons. Thank you for believing in Tafelmusik and in the power and beauty of music.
If you would like to make a gift, please click here or contact us at donations@tafelmusik.org.
Winter Season Presenting Sponsor
Thank you to our government sponsors
Credit: Elisa Citterio by Daniel Banko, Banko Media