Frescobaldi's Il Primo Libro de

Available in complete form for the first time in centuries, the nineteen madrigals in this edition contain the alto part that disappeared sometime after publication in 1608 and only recently was recovered by the editor. The fourth centenary of Frescobaldi's birth therefore marks the addition to the repertoire of an important portion of his vocal music.Since Il Primo Libro, de Madrigali was among the first publications of Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583–1643), perhaps his earliest, it represents the first flowering of a master composer's talent. It also forms part of the final chapter in the history of the Italian madrigal, one of the most glorious manifestations of Renaissance and early Baroque music.This edition contains transcriptions of all five parts of the nineteen madrigals in modern musical notation. Lyrics are transcribed in the original Italian, with English translations in the commentary section. Dr. Jacobs's commentary describes what is known of the circumstances surrounding the madrigals' composition, publication, and early performance. A selected bibliography is included. With this book, a favorite composer among keyboard musicians becomes more accessible to performers of vocal music.