Dario Castello: Sonata Seconda

Dario Castello: Sonata Seconda
(from "Sonate Concertate in Stil Moderno", Libro II, Venice, 1629)

Jan Van Hoecke, Recorder
Ágnes Ratkó, Harpsichord

Performance during the final round of the 7th International Johann Heinrich Schmelzer Competition in Melk (Austria).


The instruments:

Early baroque soprano recorder 440 Hz (plumwood) by Stephan Blezinger
The recorders of the early baroque period are really transitional instruments from the Renaissance to the late baroque period, and various very different constructions are handed down. This soprano recorder is based on the type that was made by H.F. Kynsecker in Nuremberg and adapted by Stephan Blezinger. The bore is gradually stepwise conical.

Harpsichord in Italian style by Martin Pühringer, Haslach
Compass C-d3, 2 x 8´ with a transposing keyboard for 415/440 cps.

Meantone temperament in 440 Hz was used.

Dario Castello (early 17th century) was an Italian composer and instrumentalist from the early Baroque period who worked and published in Venice. As regards his instrument, it is not clear whether he played the cornetto or the bassoon. As a composer, he was a late member of the Venetian School and had a role in the transformation of the instrumental canzona into the sonata. There is no biographical information about Castello. Even his birth and death dates are unknown. It is thought he may possibly have died during the great plague of 1630; certainly, he published no new music after this date. The title page of the 1629 edition of the first volume of the Sonate Concertate records him as Capo di Compagnia de Musichi d'Instrumenti da fiato in Venetia, indicating that he led a Venetian company of piffari, a band that could include trumpets, trombones, cornetts, shawms, bagpipes, drums, recorders and viols. The title page of the second volume (1644 edition) of the "Sonate Concertate" lists him as Musico Della Serenissima Signoria di Venetia in S. Marco, & Capo di Compagnia de Instrumenti, indicating that he worked at the great Basilica of St. Mark's where Claudio Monteverdi was maestro di capella. Castello's use of the stile concitato (agitated style) —with quick repeated-note figures— is consistent with his association with Monteverdi. There are records of other instrumentalists with the surname Castello working at St Mark's, and it is possible they were relatives of Dario. Of his music, 29 separate compositions survive. Castello's music is inventive and technically challenging. Strictly worked polyphonic sections alternate with dramatic recitatives over basso continuo, in keeping with the title of the publications "in stil moderno"; however he also uses some of the older canzona technique, which uses short sections of highly contrasting texture, and active rather than lyrical melodic lines. Unusually for the time, Castello often specifies the instruments for each part, calling for cornetti, violins, sackbutts and dulcians. That these works were still being reprinted in the 1650s attests to Castello's influence.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• 7.
• Johann
• Heinrich
• Schmelzer
• Wettbewerb
• competition
• recorder
• harpsichord
• Meantone
• temperament
• Sonata
• Blokfluit
• Blockflöte
• Flauta
• dolça
• 直笛
• Zobcová
• flétna
• Blokfløjte
• Plokkflööt
• 木笛
• dulce
• pico
• flute
• diritto
• Bekfluto
• 牧童笛
• Flûte
• bec
• Blokkfløyte
• リコーダー
• Flet
• prosty
• doce
• Misk'i
• sirinka
• Блокфлейта
• Recorder
• flauta
• Kljunasta
• flavta
• Blockflöjt
• Blokflüt
• Blokkflauta
• Flauto
• dolce
• Tibia
• recta
• Furulya
• 리코더

[ZairaMalibran]

Bravo!!!!

[barockeuse1]

beaucoups de plaisir ! merçi pour m'avoir fait connaitre cet excellent interprète...

[JohanFamaey]

Adembenemend mooi uitgevoerd!

[level480]

He is an incredible player, but still simple and humble man. Must be discovered absolutely ! Congratulations Mr De Hoecke, I did not like recorder until i had the chance to see you in concert. Great talent !

[korneelbernolet]

Super!

[Nathaliehamelton]

Gewoonweg "prachtig" talentvolle jongeman die zich Jan mag noemen.

Doe zo verder!!

Groetjes,

Aafje Van Hoecke.

[ALBERTPIA79]

Bravo pour cette superbe prestation, avec beaucoup d'energie, finesse, et personalité. jeu très sincère et une technique très solide

[Nathaliehamelton]

Proficiat Jan !

Fier, dat ik mag zeggen dat ik daar familie van ben.

Marijke Van Hoecke

[rudidhoore]

Jan is een groot talent.

[piedho]

Bravo Jan! :)