GREGORIO STROZZI (c.1615-c.1687): Capricci da sonar, Op. 4.

Description: Capricci da sonar, Op. 4. 19 of the 32 pieces which make up this collection, published in 1687 but certainly dating from the first half of the 17th century, are recorded here with the six correnti performed on the harpsichord. The marked harshness, complexity, the sometimes extreme chromaticism, effects pushing the limits of both performer and instrument, use of extremes of range and a generally restless, aggressive manner all point to a composer looking to strike and stun his listeners. Frescobaldi and Trabaci are in the same line but Strozzi is more, well, "extreme". Elena Sartori (harpsichord, organ of the Basilica S. Bernardino, L'Aquila).