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The Role of the Continuo

Catherine Bott talks to Gary Cooper about the role of the continuo, from its early beginnings around the turn of the 17th century, up to vocal and instrumental music by Bach.

Catherine Bott talks to harpsichordist Gary Cooper about the role of the continuo, from its early beginnings around the turn of the 17th century, up to vocal and instrumental music by JS Bach. They discuss the use of different instruments as part of the continuo ensemble, including a simple organ in very early examples, and the use of chitarrone in Monteverdi, and viola da gamba in Rameau. Catherine and Gary also talk about the impact the continuo makes to a musical performance. Repertoire in the programme includes works by Viadana, Monteverdi, Frescobaldi and JS Bach.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 18 Apr 2010 13:00

Music Played

  • Thomas Tallis

    Spem in Alium

    Performers: Choir of New College, Oxford, La Maitrise Nationale de Versailles, Edward Higginbottom, Gary Cooper, organ

    • K617.
    • K617010.
  • Lodovico Grossi da Viadana

    Exaudi me Domine from Cento Concerti Ecclesiastici, Venice, 1602

    Performers: Alfred Deller, counter-tenor, Gustav Leonhardt, organ

    • VANGUARD CLASSICS.
    • 08 5059 71.
  • Claudio Monteverdi

    Mira deh Orfeo鈥.Ahi caso acerbo鈥.in un fiorito prato (from 'Orfeo')

    Performers: Pastori: Mario Bolognesi, Rogers Covey-Crump, John Potter, Stephen Varcoe, Messaggiera: Guillemette Laurens, Orfeo: Nigel Rogers, London Baroque, Charles Medlam, director, The London Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble, Theresa Caudle, director

    • VIRGIN VERITAS.
    • 482 0702.
  • Francesco Cavalli

    'Ascender qui ved'io'鈥'Al fin la tanto rigida quella' (from La Calisto, Act 2)

    Performers: Diana: Janet Baker, Endimione: James Bowman, Satirino: Janet Hughes, Glyndebourne Festival Opera Chorus, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Raymond Leppard, conductor

    • DECCA.
    • 436 216-2.
  • Girolamo Frescobaldi

    Sonnetto spirituale: Maddalena alla Croce

    Performers: Catherine Bott, soprano, David Roblou, harpsichord

    • 尝鈥橭滨厂贰础鲍-尝驰搁贰.
    • 417 260-2.
  • Jean鈥怭hilippe Rameau

    L'Impatience: Recit 鈥 Air leger

    Performers: James Gilchrist, tenor, Mark Levy, viola da gamba, Gary Cooper, harpsichord

    • ASV.
    • CD GAX 234.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    'Betrachte, mein Seel' (from St John Passion)

    Performers: Klaus Mertens, bass, Hopkinson Smith, lute, The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Ton Koopman, conductor

    • ERATO.
    • 4509-94675-2.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    1st mvt (Largo) from Sonata sopr'il Soggetto Reale from The Musical Offering

    Performers: Ensemble Sonnerie: Monica Huggett, violin, Sara Cunningham, viola da gamba, Gary Cooper, harpsichord, Wilbert Hazelzet, flute

    • VIRGIN VERITAS.
    • VC 5 45139-2.

Broadcast

  • Sun 18 Apr 2010 13:00

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