Album Description

Without doubt, Monteverdi was the greatest of the early baroque composers. He revolutionised the music of the theatre and the church with his dramatic and imaginative use of voices and instruments and with his daring harmonies and rhythms. Next to his Vespers of 1610, the Selva morale e spirituale of 1641 is his most significant and virtuosic collection of sacred music.

This boxed set, released to celebrate Monteverdi’s 450th anniversary, includes all three volumes of The Sixteen’s celebrated recordings of the anthology.

Artists

The Sixteen
Harry Christophers

Reviews

'These are some of the most spirited and individual performances of this repertory available.'  BBC Music Magazine

'There are subtleties and shades in the overall ensemble’s interactions, but there is no shortage of splendour unleashed in the magnificent passages of the virtuosic eight-part Dixit Dominus.'  Gramophone

'The longest work on the disc, a superbly varied seven-part Gloria accompanied by two violins as well as continuo.'  The Guardian

'There is a sense of deep familiarity with the music in this recording, a feeling of easiness with Monteverdi’s harmonic and, especially, rhythmic vocabulary that lends a tripping lightness to the performances...'  International Record Review

Boxed set includes:

COR16087: Monteverdi: Selva morale e spirituale Volume I

COR16101: Monteverdi: Selva morale e spirituale Volume II

COR16109: Monteverdi: Selva morale e spirituale Volume III

For track listings, please see the individual discs by clicking on the links above.