Among the early Italian violin-oriented composers, I find Marini the most compelling. His music can be both engaging and evocative. It starts to be fully Baroque in style, so can be a bit light-weight & dance-oriented, but still has enough substance by way of "affect" to be appealing. As transitional music, it's also the latest repertory on this list....
The present program consists of Marini's first publication, devoted entirely to instrumental music & providing an array of "ground bass" treatments. It includes some fine music, but can be uneven at times too. Still, there's just something about this "catalog" of musical affects heralding the Baroque era....
The present rendition shows a real command of the various forms that Marini employs here. The earlier recording of this publication (which is blessed to have had two of some quality, already in the late 20th century...) by Concerto Vago has definite merits in its buoyancy, but tends to anticipate the later treble-dominated style more. Here the lower parts come through more clearly, and the whole production is delivered with greater authority. Il Viaggio Musicale did really seem to develop this style during their era of activity....
At this point, though, I'm surprised that there haven't been new recordings of this material in the 21st century....
Todd M. McComb Updated: 3 March 2022