Magnificat MAZZOCCHI VIRGILIO

Description :

During his tenure under Pope Urban VIII Virgilio Mazzocchi was among the most renowned musicians of Rome. He directed the Cappella Giulia in St. Peters Basilica for 17 years. He also organized the musical activities at the court of the Pope’s influential nephew, Francesco Barberini. The Psalmi Vespertini, Mazzocchi’s most important sacred work, were published two years after his death. This collection contains two complete vesper cycles for double choir with a basso continuo accompaniment. At the conclusion of the first vesper cycle, in the predominately festive setting of the Magnificat, Mazzocchi displays his artistry in the old and new styles by combining contrapuntal choralsections with concertante passages. The new Carus edition of this work presents a most significant and impressive document of Roman church music in the first half of the 17th century.