CARLO GESUALDO (1566-1613)
Secondo Libro di Madrigali
Ferrara, 1594

01 Se per lieve ferita 4:15
02 Non mi toglia il ben mio 1:49
03 Se così dolce è il duolo 2:46
04 Se taccio, il duol s’avanza 1:54
05 Caro amoroso neo 3:31
06 Candida man qual neve 2:55
07 Non è questa la mano 2:53
08 Dalle odorate spoglie 2:27
09 In più leggiadro velo 2:21
10 All’apparir di quelle luci 2:21
11 Hai rotto e sciolto 2:51
12 O come è gran martire 2:31
13 Sento che nel partire 3:27
14 Non mai, non cangerò 2:16

additional tracks:

Pomponio Nenna (1556- 1608)
15 Mercè, grido piangendo [V Libro a 5, 1605] 2:54

Giovanni de Macque (c. 1548- 1614)
16 Tu ti lagni al mio pianto [VI Libro, 1613] 3:32

Pomponio Nenna
17 Oimè mi scacci [V Libro a 5, 1605] 2:14
18 Sospir, baci e parole [VII Libro a 5, 1609] 1:54

Giovanni de Macque
19 La mia doglia s’avanza [VI Libro, 1613] 2:52

Pomponio Nenna
20 Ecco, o dolce, o gradita [VI Libro a 5, 1607] 3:16

Giuseppe Palazzotto Tagliavia (1583-before 1653)
21 Ancidetemi cruda [II Libro, 1620] 3:09

Sigismondo d’India (c. 1582- 1629)
22 Ecco morirò dunque [VII Libro, 1624] 5:17

Carlo Gesualdo
23 O dolorosa gioia [V Libro, 1611] 4:00

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About this album

The Second Book of Madrigals of Carlo Gesualdo provides the focal point for the latest in La Compagnia del Madrigale’s stunning reappraisals of the glories of the Italian madrigal on Glossa.

Probably written by Gesualdo between the time of the double honour killing of his first wife and her lover and his subsequent remarriage, the second book presents a sophisticated compositional mastery quite in keeping with the later books, albeit offering a calmer and gentler approach compared to the more tortured and twisted musical and psychological turns found in the last books.

Notwithstanding, much is required from the singers on the Secondo libro di madrigali a cinque voci and La Compagnia del Madrigale bring their muchpraised sensitivity to the text, balance of ensemble and dynamic control.

In the booklet, both Marco Bizzarini and Giuseppe Maletto investigate the state of mind of this fascinating composer, over four centuries since his death. The substantial second part to this recording offers a set of contrasts with Book 2: nine tracks devoted to madrigalists inspired by Gesualdo’s style, from contemporaries in Nenna, Macque and Palazzotto Tagliavia to the later Sigismondo d’India. A veritable bonus!