RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Carlo GESUALDO (1566-1613)
Madrigals - Book 4
Luci serene e chiare [4:56]
Tal'hor sano desio [3:51]
Io tacero, ma nel silenzio mio [4:03]
Invan, dunque, o crudele [3:40]
Che fai meco, mio cor [2:40]
Questa crudele e pia [4:45]
Hor che in gioia [1:19]
O sempre crudo amore [3:35]
Cor mio, deh, non piangete [2:13]
Dunque non m'offendete [2:35]
Toccata del quarto tono [2:48]
Sparge la morte al mio Signor [7:27]
Moro, e mentre sospiro [2:08]
Quando di lui la sospirata vita [1:54]
Mentre gira costei [2:35]
A voi, mentre il mio core [3:03]
Ecco, morirò dunque [2:06]
Ahi, gia mi discoloro [3:05]
Arde il mio cor [3:53]
Se chiudete nel core [2:22]
Il sol qual or più splende [1:26]
Volgi mia luce [2:33]
Delitiæ Musicæ/Marco Longhini
rec. 20-24 July 2009, Chiesa di San Pietro in Vincoli Azzago, Verona, Italy.
DDD
NAXOS 8.572137 [68:57]
Delitiae Musicae has reached the fourth book in their recordings of Gesualdo’s
complete Madrigals, and in many ways it is their best effort. I began listening
to this all-male ensemble in 2002 when they released their first recording
of Monteverdi Madrigals on Naxos. At that time the use of an all-male ensemble
for these works was something of a novelty, but each succeeding release in
the almost complete cycle has fully vindicated their performance decisions.
Better yet, the level of technical and musical accomplishment has developed
throughout that cycle, and the Gesualdo recordings have benefited enormously
from that experience.
The singing on this album is simply phenomenal. Intonation is virtually flawless,
and they offer just the right mix of homogenous and individual sound. The
shaping of phrases, the ebb-and flow, as well as the constantly changing dynamics
is effortless - this is a group who seem to be of one mind, an essential aspect
of the best madrigal singing. Additionally, the chosen keys often add to the
expressive potential: most of these texts convey darker emotions, and there
is thrilling emotional immediacy when the baritone and bass move into their
lowest registers.
These qualities are readily apparent in the performance of “Io tacero,
ma nel silenzio mio” (I shall be silent, but in my silence - Track
3). The anonymous text is heart wrenching, as the poet says he will not speak
aloud of his sorrow, yet knows that his suffering is clearly visible in how
he looks and moves. In fact, even after he dies, his sorrow will be plain
for all to see. These are powerful sentiments, vividly conveyed by Delitiae
Musicae. Without crossing the line into cloying affectation, they consistently
vary their timbre, dynamics, and tempo as they bring to life each sentiment,
all the while singing with impeccable diction. Many of the phrases are followed
by rests, which here aren’t merely moments of silence, but are impregnated
with grief - we can feel the poet’s break-down, as he takes time to
regain his composure. This is expressive singing of the highest order.
The text for Track 6, Questa crudele e pia (This cruel and pious woman)
must have been particularly terrible for this composer. Gesualdo repeatedly
sets the work “cruel” as if he is trying to come to terms with
the idea that the woman he loves does not love him in the same way. She “feels
pity, but does not love.” Like any lover who is experiencing pain, his
emotions come out in a jumble: he “weeps,” yet his “ardent
desire” returns, followed by disbelief, then angry, and a return to
suffering. Once again, the singers fully inhabit each twist and turn on this
torturous journey, often stressing the more dissonant aspects of the writing.
Perhaps the most unusual madrigal in the book is “Sparge la morte
al mio Signor” (Death floods my Lord’s face - Track 12). Once
again we have an anonymous text that describes the final moments of Christ’s
death on the cross, performed here with great passion and beauty. Conductor
Marco Longhini, in his exceptional liner notes, suggests the poetry’s
description of atonement for an unjust death is something Gesualdo was struggling
with after killing his wife and her lover. According to Longhini, despite
the fact that Gesualdo had every right under Italian law to kill his adulterous
wife, he was never able to find peace with his horrific act of violence. It
is an interesting idea that might explain some of the more radically dissonant
writing to be heard in Book 5.
While a majority of the texts are desperately sad, the final eight address
happier situations and emotions, such as Mentre gira costei (As she
turns - Track 15). Here the poet describes new found love, the man falling
in love at first sight. The poetry describes her gaze as fierce and gentle,
his love as “a timid little bird” in flight. All of this imagery
is vividly portrayed in Gesualdo’s music, which again receives a wonderfully
cogent and affecting performance.
The recording is excellent, the voices crystal clear, with the continuo instruments
used selectively, which adds another layer of variety to these performances.
The notes also include full texts, an absolute must when listening to any
madrigal. These are the best performances yet in an already strong series
of recordings - and there is no better way to get to know this wonderful music
- I anxiously await their recording of Book 5!
David A. McConnell
see also review by Mark
Sealey (June 2012 Recording of the Month)
Wonderfully cogent and affecting.
Reviews of other releases in this series
Book
1
Book
2
Book
3