Title: Montserrat Figueras sings "Dal mio Permesso" from L'Orfeo
Description: Jordi Savall leads Le Concert des Nations and La Capella Reial de Catalunya in a performance of Claudio Monteverdi's opera L'Orfeo. The concert opens with a Toccata and continues with a Ritornello, and Montserrat Figueras, as La Musica, singing "Dal mio Permesso amato." The venue is the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona.

Title: 6. Mozart: Requiem in D Minor (K.626) / Savall
Description: Stereo: http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=vrs8M_ejTuI&fmt=18 Johann Chrysostom Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791). Requiem in D minor (K.626). XIII. Agnus Dei: Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: donna eis requiem. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: donna eis requiem sempiternam. XIV. Lux aeterna: Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine, Cum Sanctis tuis in aeternum: quia pius es, Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, Et lux perpetua luceat eis. Cum Sanctis tuis in aeternum, quia pius es. La Capella Reial de Catalunya. Le Concert des Nations. Montserrat Figueras (Soprano) Claudia Schubert (Alto). Gerd Turk (Tenor). Stephan Shreckenberger (Basse). Dir. Jordi Savall.

Title: 1. Biber: Requiem a 15 / Jordi Savall
Description: Stereo: http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=Iny0zvJFYuw&fmt=18 Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (1644 - 1704). Requiem a 15: I. Marcia Funebre. II. Introitus: Requiem Aeternam. La Capella Reial de Catalunya. Le Concert des Nations. Dir: Jordi Savall. Biber was born in Wartenberg (now Stráž pod Ralskem, Czech Republic). He received his first position in 1668 as musician in the court of Archbishop Karl Liechtenstein-Kastelkorn at Olmutz. But Biber failed to return from a visit to Innsbruck without permission. On this visit he met the at the time famous violin maker Jakob Stainer, who mentioned him in a later document as "der vortreffliche Virtuos (the outstanding virtuoso) Herr Biber." He was first a violinist at the castle of Kroměříž, and in 1684 became Kapellmeister in Salzburg, where he died twenty years later. Biber's music exemplifies the Austrian baroque style, which is a combination of Italian and German influences. His works show a predilection for canonic use and harmonic diapason that pre-date the later Baroque works of Johann Pachelbel and Johann Sebastian Bach. He was known as a violin virtuoso and is best known for his highly virtuosic and expressive violin works, many of which employ scordatura (unconventional tunings of the open strings). In his violin music Biber built on the achievements of earlier Italian violinist/composers such as Marini, Fontana, and Uccellini, as well as his Austrian near-contemporary (and possible teacher) Johann Heinrich Schmelzer. The music of Biber has enjoyed a renaissance, in part, because of the Rosary Sonatas. This remarkable set of 16 sonatas is also known as the Mystery Sonatas (in reference to key events in the lives of the Virgin Mary and Christ) and the Copper-Engraving Sonatas (because of the engravings at the head of the sonatas). Each sonata employs a different tuning of the violin. This use of scordatura transforms the violin's expressivity from the pleasures of the Five Joyful Mysteries (the Annunciation, etc.) through the trauma of the Five Sorrowful Mysteries (the Crucifixion, etc.) to the ethereal nature of the Six Glorious Mysteries. The Glorious Mysteries start with the Resurrection Sonata - where the two middle strings are symbolically crossed over - and end with a passacaglia for solo violin using standard tuning (Sonata No 16), thereby completing the cycle of scordaturas. Remarkably, in Sonata No 15 Biber anticipates the theme of Paganini's Capriccio No 24 almost exactly. We can assume that Paganini took his inspiration from Biber (just as Liszt, Brahms and Rachmaninov were later inspired by Paganini's famous Caprice). The Rosary Sonatas remained unpublished during Biber's lifetime. Among his important published collections of instrumental music are a set of eight sonatas (1681) for violin and continuo and the magisterial Harmonia artificioso-ariosa (consisting of seven trio sonata-suites utilizing scordatura violins and violas d'amore). Biber was a prolific composer of sacred vocal music, of the which the two Requiems and the Missa Christi resurgentis are outstanding examples. The Missa Salisburgensis is an astonishing polyphonic setting of the mass for 53 independent voices which is currently attributed to Biber (it was previously thought to be the work of Orazio Benevoli).

Title: Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major (BWV 1048)
Description: Johann Sebastian Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major (BWV 1048). Title on autograph score: Concerto 3zo a tre Violini, tre Viole, è tre Violoncelli col Basso per il Cembalo. Instrumentation: three violins, three violas, three cellos, and basso continuo (including harpsichord). The second movement consists of a single measure with the two chords that make up a Phrygian mode cadence and — although there is no direct evidence to support it — it was likely that these chords are meant to surround or follow a cadenza improvised by a harpsichord or violin player. Modern performance approaches run a gamut from simply playing the cadence with minimal ornamentation (treating it as a sort of "musical semicolon"), to inserting movements from other works, to cadenzas varying in length from under a minute to over two minutes. Notably, Wendy Carlos's three electronic performances (from Switched-On Bach, Switched-On Brandenburgs, and Switched-On Bach 2000) have second movements that are completely different from each other. Occasionally, the third movement from Bach's "Sonata for Violin and Continuo in G , BWV. 1021" (marked Largo) is substituted for the second movement as it contains an identical Phrygian mode cadence as the closing chords. The Adagio from the Violin Sonata in G, BWV 1019a, has also been used. The outer movements use the ritornello form found in many instrumental and vocal works of the time. The first movement can also be found in reworked form as the sinfonia of the cantata BWV 174, "Ich liebe den Höchsten von ganzem Gemüte", with the addition of three oboes and two horns. 1. Allegro. Le Concert des Nations. La Capella Reial de Catalunya. Fabio Biondi (Violino). Pierre Hantai (Clavecin). Marc Hantai (Flute). Pedro Mesmeldorff (Flute). Alfredo Bernardini (Hautbois). Paulo Grazi (Hautbois). Jordi Savall (Basse de Viole). Dir. Jordi Savall.

Title: Claudio Monteverdi - L'Orfeo, favola in musica (SV 318)
Description: Stereo: http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=TW7z5FD6Oxw&fmt=18 Claudio Giovanni Antonio Monteverdi (1567 - 1643). Claudio Monteverdi was born in 1567 in Cremona, in Northern Italy. During his childhood, he was taught by Marc'Antonio Ingegneri, the maestro di cappella or singing master, at the Cathedral of Cremona. He wrote his first music for publication, some motets and sacred madrigals, in 1582 and 1583 and by 1587 had produced his first book of secular madrigals. Between 1590 and 1611, Monteverdi worked at the court of Vincenzo I of Gonzaga in Mantua as a vocalist and viol player. 1602 was working as the court conductor. By 1613 Monteverdi had moved to the San Marco in Venice where, as conductor, he quickly restored the musical standard of both the choir and instrumentalists, which had declined due to the financial mismanagement of his predecessor, Giulio Cesare Martinengo. The managers of the basilica were relieved to have such a distinguished musician in charge, as the music had been in decline since the death of Giovanni Croce in 1609. Monteverdi was ordained a Catholic priest in 1632 and during the last years of his life, when he was often ill, he composed his two last masterpieces, both operas. Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria (The Return of Ulysses, 1641), and the historic opera L'incoronazione di Poppea (The Coronation of Poppea, 1642), based on the life of the Roman emperor Nero. L'incoronazione especially is considered a culminating point of Monteverdi's work; it contains tragic, romantic, as well as comic scenes (a new development in opera), a more realistic portrayal of the characters, and warmer melodies than had previously been heard. It requires a smaller orchestra, and has a less prominent role for the choir. Monteverdi died in Venice on November 29, 1643 and is buried in the church of the Frari. L'Orfeo: L'Orfeo (L'Orfeo, favola in musica, SV 318, or La Favola d'Orfeo, or The Legend of Orpheus) is one of the earliest works recognized as an opera, composed by Claudio Monteverdi with text by Alessandro Striggio for the annual carnival of Mantua. It was first performed before the Accademia degl'Invaghiti on 24 February 1607 in a now unidentifiable room in the ducal palace at Mantua, and was published in Venice in 1609. The opera saw its modern debut on 25 February 1904 in a concert version in Paris directed by Vincent d'Indy. Le Concert des Nations. La Capella Reial de Catalunya. Montserrat Figueras (La Musica). Furio Zanasi (Orfeo). Arianna Savall (Euridice). Sara Mingardo (Messagiera). Cécile van de Sant (Speranza). Antonio Abete (Caronte). Adriana Fernandez (Proserpina). Daniele Carnovich (Plutone). Fulvio Bettini (Apollo). Mercedes Hernandez (Ninfa). Marilia Vargas (Eco). Gerd Türk (Pastores & Espiritus) Francesc Garrigosa (Pastores & Espiritus). Carlos Mena (Pastores & Espiritus). Ivan Garcia (Pastores & Espiritus). Dir. Jordi Savall.

Title: Claudio Monteverdi - L'Orfeo, favola in musica (SV 318)
Description: Stereo: http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=9yGDSXpMJjY&fmt=18 Claudio Giovanni Antonio Monteverdi (1567 - 1643). L'Orfeo, favola in musica (SV 318). Le Concert des Nations. La Capella Reial de Catalunya. Montserrat Figueras (La Musica). Furio Zanasi (Orfeo). Arianna Savall (Euridice). Sara Mingardo (Messagiera). Cécile van de Sant (Speranza). Antonio Abete (Caronte). Adriana Fernandez (Proserpina). Daniele Carnovich (Plutone). Fulvio Bettini (Apollo). Mercedes Hernandez (Ninfa). Marilia Vargas (Eco). Gerd Türk (Pastores & Espiritus) Francesc Garrigosa (Pastores & Espiritus). Carlos Mena (Pastores & Espiritus). Ivan Garcia (Pastores & Espiritus). Dir. Jordi Savall. Claudio Monteverdi was born in 1567 in Cremona, in Northern Italy. During his childhood, he was taught by Marc'Antonio Ingegneri, the maestro di cappella or singing master, at the Cathedral of Cremona. He wrote his first music for publication, some motets and sacred madrigals, in 1582 and 1583 and by 1587 had produced his first book of secular madrigals. Between 1590 and 1611, Monteverdi worked at the court of Vincenzo I of Gonzaga in Mantua as a vocalist and viol player. 1602 was working as the court conductor. By 1613 Monteverdi had moved to the San Marco in Venice where, as conductor, he quickly restored the musical standard of both the choir and instrumentalists, which had declined due to the financial mismanagement of his predecessor, Giulio Cesare Martinengo. The managers of the basilica were relieved to have such a distinguished musician in charge, as the music had been in decline since the death of Giovanni Croce in 1609. Monteverdi was ordained a Catholic priest in 1632 and during the last years of his life, when he was often ill, he composed his two last masterpieces, both operas. Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria (The Return of Ulysses, 1641), and the historic opera L'incoronazione di Poppea (The Coronation of Poppea, 1642), based on the life of the Roman emperor Nero. L'incoronazione especially is considered a culminating point of Monteverdi's work; it contains tragic, romantic, as well as comic scenes (a new development in opera), a more realistic portrayal of the characters, and warmer melodies than had previously been heard. It requires a smaller orchestra, and has a less prominent role for the choir. Monteverdi died in Venice on November 29, 1643 and is buried in the church of the Frari. L'Orfeo: L'Orfeo (L'Orfeo, favola in musica, SV 318, or La Favola d'Orfeo, or The Legend of Orpheus) is one of the earliest works recognized as an opera, composed by Claudio Monteverdi with text by Alessandro Striggio for the annual carnival of Mantua. It was first performed before the Accademia degl'Invaghiti on 24 February 1607 in a now unidentifiable room in the ducal palace at Mantua, and was published in Venice in 1609. The opera saw its modern debut on 25 February 1904 in a concert version in Paris directed by Vincent d'Indy.

Title: Monteverdi: Orfeo (Opus Arte)
Description: www.opusarte.com / Jordi Savall directs Le Concert des Nations, La Capella Reial de Catalunya and the leading soloists of early opera in a beautiful period production of Monteverdi's favola in musica staged at Barcelona's Gran Teatre del Liceu in 2002. More info at: www.opusarte.com

Title: Claudio Monteverdi - L'Orfeo, favola in musica (SV 318)
Description: Claudio Giovanni Antonio Monteverdi (1567 - 1643). Claudio Monteverdi was born in 1567 in Cremona, in Northern Italy. During his childhood, he was taught by Marc'Antonio Ingegneri, the maestro di cappella or singing master, at the Cathedral of Cremona. He wrote his first music for publication, some motets and sacred madrigals, in 1582 and 1583 and by 1587 had produced his first book of secular madrigals. Between 1590 and 1611, Monteverdi worked at the court of Vincenzo I of Gonzaga in Mantua as a vocalist and viol player. 1602 was working as the court conductor. By 1613 Monteverdi had moved to the San Marco in Venice where, as conductor, he quickly restored the musical standard of both the choir and instrumentalists, which had declined due to the financial mismanagement of his predecessor, Giulio Cesare Martinengo. The managers of the basilica were relieved to have such a distinguished musician in charge, as the music had been in decline since the death of Giovanni Croce in 1609. Monteverdi was ordained a Catholic priest in 1632 and during the last years of his life, when he was often ill, he composed his two last masterpieces, both operas. Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria (The Return of Ulysses, 1641), and the historic opera L'incoronazione di Poppea (The Coronation of Poppea, 1642), based on the life of the Roman emperor Nero. L'incoronazione especially is considered a culminating point of Monteverdi's work; it contains tragic, romantic, as well as comic scenes (a new development in opera), a more realistic portrayal of the characters, and warmer melodies than had previously been heard. It requires a smaller orchestra, and has a less prominent role for the choir. Monteverdi died in Venice on November 29, 1643 and is buried in the church of the Frari. L'Orfeo: L'Orfeo (L'Orfeo, favola in musica, SV 318, or La Favola d'Orfeo, or The Legend of Orpheus) is one of the earliest works recognized as an opera, composed by Claudio Monteverdi with text by Alessandro Striggio for the annual carnival of Mantua. It was first performed before the Accademia degl'Invaghiti on 24 February 1607 in a now unidentifiable room in the ducal palace at Mantua, and was published in Venice in 1609. The opera saw its modern debut on 25 February 1904 in a concert version in Paris directed by Vincent d'Indy. Le Concert des Nations. La Capella Reial de Catalunya. Montserrat Figueras (La Musica). Fulvio Bettini (Orfeo). Arianna Savall (Euridice). Sara Mingardo (Messagiera). Cécile van de Sant (Speranza). Antonio Abete (Caronte). Adriana Fernandez (Proserpina). Daniele Carnovich (Plutone). Fulvio Bettini (Apollo). Mercedes Hernandez (Ninfa). Marilia Vargas (Eco). Gerd Türk (Pastores & Espiritus) Francesc Garrigosa (Pastores & Espiritus). Carlos Mena (Pastores & Espiritus). Ivan Garcia (Pastores & Espiritus). Dir. Jordi Savall.

Title: Claudio Monteverdi - L'Orfeo, favola in musica (SV 318)
Description: Stereo: http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=LlWnhVrGkcM&fmt=18 Claudio Giovanni Antonio Monteverdi (1567 - 1643). Claudio Monteverdi was born in 1567 in Cremona, in Northern Italy. During his childhood, he was taught by Marc'Antonio Ingegneri, the maestro di cappella or singing master, at the Cathedral of Cremona. He wrote his first music for publication, some motets and sacred madrigals, in 1582 and 1583 and by 1587 had produced his first book of secular madrigals. Between 1590 and 1611, Monteverdi worked at the court of Vincenzo I of Gonzaga in Mantua as a vocalist and viol player. 1602 was working as the court conductor. By 1613 Monteverdi had moved to the San Marco in Venice where, as conductor, he quickly restored the musical standard of both the choir and instrumentalists, which had declined due to the financial mismanagement of his predecessor, Giulio Cesare Martinengo. The managers of the basilica were relieved to have such a distinguished musician in charge, as the music had been in decline since the death of Giovanni Croce in 1609. Monteverdi was ordained a Catholic priest in 1632 and during the last years of his life, when he was often ill, he composed his two last masterpieces, both operas. Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria (The Return of Ulysses, 1641), and the historic opera L'incoronazione di Poppea (The Coronation of Poppea, 1642), based on the life of the Roman emperor Nero. L'incoronazione especially is considered a culminating point of Monteverdi's work; it contains tragic, romantic, as well as comic scenes (a new development in opera), a more realistic portrayal of the characters, and warmer melodies than had previously been heard. It requires a smaller orchestra, and has a less prominent role for the choir. Monteverdi died in Venice on November 29, 1643 and is buried in the church of the Frari. L'Orfeo: L'Orfeo (L'Orfeo, favola in musica, SV 318, or La Favola d'Orfeo, or The Legend of Orpheus) is one of the earliest works recognized as an opera, composed by Claudio Monteverdi with text by Alessandro Striggio for the annual carnival of Mantua. It was first performed before the Accademia degl'Invaghiti on 24 February 1607 in a now unidentifiable room in the ducal palace at Mantua, and was published in Venice in 1609. The opera saw its modern debut on 25 February 1904 in a concert version in Paris directed by Vincent d'Indy. Le Concert des Nations. La Capella Reial de Catalunya. Montserrat Figueras (La Musica). Fulvio Bettini (Orfeo). Arianna Savall (Euridice). Sara Mingardo (Messagiera). Cécile van de Sant (Speranza). Antonio Abete (Caronte). Adriana Fernandez (Proserpina). Daniele Carnovich (Plutone). Fulvio Bettini (Apollo). Mercedes Hernandez (Ninfa). Marilia Vargas (Eco). Gerd Türk (Pastores & Espiritus) Francesc Garrigosa (Pastores & Espiritus). Carlos Mena (Pastores & Espiritus). Ivan Garcia (Pastores & Espiritus). Dir. Jordi Savall.

Title: Missa Bruxellensis: Sanctus
Description: click link for Stereo sound http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8rV3caLGZU&fmt=18 Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber - Missa Bruxellensis for 23 independent instrumental and vocal parts (1696). 1. Sanctus. La Capella Reial de Catalunya. Le Concert des Nations. Conducted by Jordi Savall.

Title: Missa Bruxellensis: Agnus Dei
Description: click link for Stereo sound http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H61H78SlI4&fmt=18 Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber - Missa Bruxellensis for 23 independent instrumental and vocal parts (1696). 1. Sanctus. La Capella Reial de Catalunya. Le Concert des Nations. Conducted by Jordi Savall.

Title: Missa Bruxellensis: Kyrie
Description: click link for Stereo sound http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfq1fOsNyws&fmt=18 Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber - Missa Bruxellensis for 23 independent instrumental and vocal parts (1696). 1. Kyrie. La Capella Reial de Catalunya. Le Concert des Nations. Conducted by Jordi Savall.