Merula - Ciaconna for Two Violins and Basso Continuo

TARQUINIO MERULA (1594-1665)

Ciaconna for two violins and basso continuo

Performed by Hesperion XXI

*Tarquinio Merula was an Italian composer, organist, and violinist of the early Baroque era. Although mainly active in Cremona, stylistically he was a member of the Venetian school. He was one of the most progressive Italian composers of the early 17th century, especially in applying newly developed techniques to sacred music.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• vivaldi
• bach
• handel
• mozart
• concerto
• grosso
• classical
• baroque
• sonata
• folia
• passacaglia
• lute
• monteverdi
• renaissance

[123BubberMiley]

Wow, awesome music and another composer i have never heard of. where did you get all this great, obscure music? all I ever see in music stores are the same, famous pieces that are all great but I'd love to find some more of this kind of music.

[HARMONICO101]

Internet. Unless you have a classical music store in town.

[Chuxite]

Another GEM ! I am so glad I stummbled upon your channel. Thank you again !

[HARMONICO101]

You're welcome! This is actually one of my top favorite pieces. It's perfect.

I've been listening to this piece over and over again recently. Can't get it out of my head!

[Kiddfan777]

Pure early baroque beauty.

[Naarden4ever]

This is a Basso Continuo, but it sounds Ostinato as well.

[1CasuConsulto]

Thank you! I have now discovered another wonderful composer thanks to you :)

[VTBbank]

Cannot find moore harmonious, balanced, colorfull and pure Ciaconna on the internet than this one.

Supreme piece of musical art !

[Hradrik]

Ok I don't want to mess the ideas but this ciaconna also resemble much to cazzatti's one (same bass line in introduction; but that's very expectable since this is the starting idea and composers had to create all the development of this simple theme).  Look for yourself with Christina Pluhar; it's gorgeous!

[andrewbautista23]

very graceful violin playing, even the quick triplets were played beautifully.

so beautiful, like beautiful place, a dream.

[allengarvin]

@Oldeagle It's not from Cavalli or La Calisto. You must have Concerto Vocale's recording. If you read the liner notes, you'll see they inserted several instrumental interludes from contemporary composers, including this Merula piece.

The piece is the last tune in Merula's Libro Terza. of 1637. The ciaccona, an obscure 16c Spanish dance, had become something of a show-off piece in Italy in the early-to-mid 17c in Italy, with elaborate and virtuosic divisions executed over a simple ground bass.

[trabalhosmanuais]

Could you please post some Samuel Scheidt's? I would be pleased :) Thanks

[Nuker1337]

There are undoubtedly many baroque masters that have been forgotten and wait to be rediscovered. This seems to be one of them. Just wonderful.

[1972jewish]

Calisto wasnt an opera by Cavalli?

[Oldeagle]

@tuttiusati yeah, this is the Ballo from La Calisto. Unless of course Cavalli borrowed it or it's based on a popular tune, but it's definitely in Calisto