Segreti Accenti – Italian Renaissance Music
Nominated for International Classical Music wards
Cantar alla Viola
Nadine Balbeisi – soprano
Fernando Marín – viella, vihuelas de arco, viola da gamba
Label – Quartz
This CD is dedicated to one of the most esteemed musical practices of the Renaissance: the art of accompanying the voice with the viola da gamba. Cantare alla viola (singing with a viol) is the name for this practice which was quite common at the time. Even Baldassare Castiglione, in his The Book of the Courtier, (Venice, 1528), points out that among all musical practices, the best and most suitable for a perfect courtier was indeed cantare alla viola. He goes on to explain that it makes it possible to appreciate “all the sweetness” that is found in the solo voice. One singer can give more attention to the “fine manner and the melody” as well as offer a certain “grace” to the words that is not possible with many singers.
„The program is sung and played with great sensitivity, fully respecting the intimacy of the music. This makes this CD a very beautiful experience, with a lot of emotion and pure beauty.“ – Remy Franck, Pizzicato