Legrenzi: Harmonia d'affetti devoti op.3 (2CD)

Giovanni Legrenzi was one of the most gifted and influential composers of his generation and played a crucial role in establishing the Baroque style in northern Italy in the second half of the 17th century. Harmonia d'affetti devoti for two, three and four voices with organ bass was intended for liturgical use, following Monteverdi's model, but the sung texts depart completely from tradition and were chosen to maximize the expressive power of their setting. This world premiere recording reveals Legrenzi's extraordinary melodic sophistication, rhythmic vitality, and perfect elegance, all of which should stir the listener to feelings of stupore et maraviglia ("wonder and amazement").