Listen to the Music!

The music of Salomone Rossi (ca. 1570-1630), Giovanni Paolo Cima (ca. 1570-1630), Biago Marini (1594-1663), and others, represent the emergence of a new style of Baroque instrumental music, an "instrumental monody" so to speak. Also signficant in the early 17th century was the rise of the violin as a solo instrument. I would be remiss if I did not recognize the contributions of Andrea Gabrieli (1532/33-1585) and Giovanni Gabrieli (1554/57-1612) to the early Baroque. Enjoy these musical selections of various types.

Salomone Rossi: Sinfonia grave a 5

Salomone Rossi: Two Trio Sonatas

Giovanni Paolo Cima: Sonata a tre

Giovanni Paolo Cima: Sonata for Violin and Cello

Biago Marini: Sonata in ecco con tre violini Op. 8 no. 44

Biago Marini: Sonata Quarta Op. 8

Biago Marini: Passacaglia in g- Op. 22

Francesco Durante (1684-1755) was an Italian composer who spent his entire life in Naples. He composed concertos and sacred music, but no operas. His students included Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-1736), whom he outlived, and Giovanni Piasiello (1740-1816). Please enjoy these examples of Durante's expressive musical style.

Francesco Durante: Concerto #2 for Strings in g-

Francesco Durante: Harpsichord Concerto in Bb+

Francesco Durante: Concerto #4 for Strings in e-

Francesco Durante: Concerto #5 for Strings in A+

Terminology for the sinfonia and the overture in the Baroque was inconsistent and changed over time. Sinfonia could refer to instrumental music preceding operas or oratorios, trio or solo sonatas, concerti grossi, and independent multi-movement (or tempo) instrumental works. An overture could refer to an Italian overture, a French overture, or a suite of dances. It is the Italian opera overture credited to Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725) starting in the 1680's, with the tempo indications Fast-Slow-Fast, that is most significant to the emergence of the classical symphony. Enjoy these musical selections.

Alessandro Scarlatti: Overture to opera Griselda

Giuseppe Torelli: Sinfonia in A+