Scherzi Musicali (MONTEVERDI CLAUDIO)

Editor: Andrea Bornstein Publication Date: 2003 Series: Setticlavio. Music in original Clefs Structure: Score Pages: pp. 128 Size: 235x315 mm Claudio Monteverdi’s (Cremona 1567 - Venezia 1643) nine books of madrigals can be divided into three groups. The first two books were written in the so-called Cremonese period (until 1590), when the composer was still very much under the influence of his teacher, Marcantonio Ingegneri. Books 3-5 were composed during the Mantuan years (1591-1612); the innovative style of these compositions - especially those in the fourth book - gave origin to a controversy with Artusi and other musicians, which ended, on Monteverdi’s side, with the theoretical definition of ‘seconda pratica’, which is mentioned in the preface to the fifth book, and further developed by his brother Cesare in the introduction to Scherzi musicali (1607). The last four books were conceived during the composer’s Venetian years; in 1613 Monteverdi was hired as maestro di cappella in S. Marco, an office he held until his death; he thus became the foremost musical figure in the entire Republic. The ninth book was published posthumously in Venice (1651). This is the first complete Urtext publication including the entire corpus of madrigals composed by the great Cremonese master. An edition which was impatiently expected by musicologists and musicians who have until now had to use the admirable, albeit timeworn Malipiero edition. Every volume is issued both in modern and original clefs. Vocal part-books and instrumental parts are also available.