Credits:

Bottazzi, Bernardino (1560-1614)

Description:

Bernardino Bottazzi's Chorus and Organ (Venice, 1614) is Italy's largest and best-known collection of organ works for liturgy from the first half of the 17th century. Based on the instructions of the Council of Trent, which established new rules and specifications for liturgical music, the "Coro e Organo," a selection of organ selections, places an introduction and 18 cautionary warnings, explaining the principles of canonical counterpoint (intended to educate organists on how to compose and improvise from static chants), specific melodies and some suggestions are made as to how to diminish and add ornamentation. This is a valuable new recording of Bottazzi's choral and organ music, a symbol of Italian sacred music in the transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque. The performance uses the valuable historic organ of the Bernardino Church in Siena. Organist Federico del Sordo and Nova Scola Gregoriana, under the direction of Alberto Turco, who have already made a number of releases, demonstrate a deep understanding of the works and a dedication to playing and singing them. Also of note once again are the highly scholarly liner notes by the performers.