Search - Barroco Espanol :: Al Ayre Espanol: Barroco Espanol 3

Spanish Take on Italianate Music

B. Marold | Bethlehem, PA United States | 02/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"'Barroco Expanol, Vol 3' specializes in presenting 'Penitential Music at the Royal Chapel in Madrid'. As one who is very familiar with early liturgical music, this collection is a big surprise, in that instead of being the expected Latin chants and polyphony, the music sounds almost operatic and very, very Italian. Although, the notes do explain that one of Spain's contributions to this music was to tone down the high notes so the melody is much more easily heard and understood. All of the works come from around 1700 and none of the three composers are widely known, but this series of Spanish Baroque music is worth it, if you can get your hands on it at a reasonable price."