Performers: Andrew Manze (violin), Nigel North (chitarrone, guitar), John Toll (harpsichord, organ), Caroline Balding (violin), Jap Schlapp (viola), David Watkin (cello)
Playing time: 71'
Recording date: March 1996 (Gloucestershire, UK), rel. 1997 (HMU), 2004 (HMX)
Biagio Marini (1597-1665) was one of the most important early Italian composers for violin. Although named for his Opus 8 publication (1629) of this title, the present collection consists principally of music from his Opus 22 (1655). All selections come from Opus 22, unless noted otherwise. In many ways, the Opus 8 publication with its odd title represents the high point of Marini's development of the violinistic idiom, including such techniques as fourth position, multiple stops, tremolo, scordatura, and clustering on the bridge. However, as opposed to some virtuosos of this era, Marini's compositions are formally & lyrically compelling as well, and this aspect is further emphasized in Opus 22.
The present recording suggests that his birth and death dates should be corrected to 1587-1663, something it states without argument. This would certainly change our views on the precociousness of his Opus 1 (1617). The performance itself is sometimes rather languid, oddly so.
A "more Italian" performance, consisting of a single complete publication, Marini's Opus 1:
Recording from Opus 8:
And another Marini string-oriented survey:
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Todd M. McComb