Alessandro Melani (1639-1703) - Cantata All'armi

Judith Nelson, soprano
Dennis Ferry, trompette naturelle
Gordon Murray, clavecin et orgue
Jonathan Rubin, luth et thèorbe
Kathi Gohl, violoncelle baroque
Chiara Bianchini, violon baroque
Enrico Gatti, violon baroque
Cléna Stein, contrebasse

The text (without recitatives)

All'armi, pensieri,
Ardire, mio core,
Pugnando si speri
Vittoria in amore.

La tromba
Rimbomba,
A guerra mi sfida
Bellezza homicida,
E intiman ' l'assalto
AI petto di smalto
Due mori guerrieri.

All'armi, pensieri.

Quel dio si disarmi
Che nudo di fede
Si crede
Piagarmi
Con l'armi di barbari arcieri.

All'armi, pensieri.

Se d'un volto mi struggo all'ardore,
Nel core l'incendio estinguer non so;
Discior le catene non può
Chi brama le pene e bacia lo strale che 'l sen gli piago.

Se un petto costante si fa,
Non teme di sorte lo stral';
A colpo fatal'
La mia speme dal cor non si divelle.
Cifre del mio gioir sono due stelle.

All'armi, pensieri,
Ardire, mio core,
Vittoria in amore
Pugnando si speri.

To arms, my thoughts,
Courage, my heart,
In fighting let us hope
For victory in love.

The trumpet
Resounds;
A murderous beauty
Challenges me to war,
And two dark warriors
Launch the assault
Against a bosom of marble.

To arms, my thoughts.

That god deceives himself
Who, devoid of faith,
Believes
That he can wound me
With the arms of barbarian archers.

To arms, my thoughts.

If I melt with ardour for a face,
I cannot quench the blaze in my heart;
He cannot undo the fetters Who craves for the torments and kisses the dart that pierces his breast.

If a heart makes itself constant,
It does not fear the effect of the arrow;
At the fatal blow,
My hope Is not wrenched from my heart.
The signs of my joy are two stars.

To arms, my thoughts,
Courage, my heart,
In fighting let us hope
For victory in love.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• soprano Dennis Ferry
• trompette naturelle

[theprof1958]

Sorry :-(

An awful mistake because for this video I used an ugly software.

I'll re-upload it as soon as possible

[Nini19733791]

Oh great, this might be a little bit beyond my budget. But Harmonia Mundi is sometimes re-editing CDs, Otherwise ArkivMusic might be a good address, too. May I ask you for the number of the CD (HMA something) and probably the year of publication so that I can add it to my wishlist?

[theprof1958]

HMA 1905137

[Nini19733791]

Hi, can you please tell me from which CD you took this excerpt?

For someone who is not professionally affiliated with music you have an unusual period performed early music collection, compliments!

Best regards from Germany!

[theprof1958]

Alessandro Scarlatti & Alessandro Melani: ArIas & Cantates pour soprano & trompette

Harmonia Mundi Musique d'Abord

I've found out that it is quite rare... it is sold at $144 on Ebay!

[robertmai64]

Grande!!!

[Teonareine]

Mi piece moltissimo, grazie !

[millertj27]

Why is the ending of this cut off?

[amycello]

I'm not familiar with this composer but he is actually mentioned in the novel Dr. Faustus by Thomas Mann as a composer who uses (probably only occassionally) very advanced harmonY - in the piece that Mann is talking about he describes it as Tristan type chords. Does anyone know which piece he might be referring to? Unfortunately he does not give the name.