Trabaci: Keyboard Music, Book 2

Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of early Baroque music with Giovanni Maria Trabaci's "Keyboard Music, Book 2," a captivating collection released in 2003 by Naxos. This album is a testament to Trabaci's prowess as a Neapolitan composer and organist, offering a comprehensive journey through his innovative keyboard works.

Spanning over two hours and twenty-seven minutes, the album is a treasure trove of 79 tracks, divided into four discs. It features a diverse range of compositions, including ricercate, toccate, and cento versi, showcasing Trabaci's mastery of counterpoint, fugue, and improvisation. The ricercate, in particular, are a highlight, demonstrating Trabaci's ability to weave intricate melodic lines with harmonic sophistication.

The album opens with the "Ricercate Tono I-XII," a series of twelve ricercars that explore different tonalities and contrapuntal techniques. Each ricercar is a study in itself, offering a glimpse into Trabaci's compositional process and his ability to create complex, yet coherent musical structures.

Following the ricercate, the "Cento Versi sopra li Otto finali Ecclesiastici" provide a fascinating exploration of Gregorian chant melodies. Trabaci's versification of these chants is both respectful and inventive, blending the sacred with the secular in a way that is both reverent and playful.

The album also includes a selection of toccate, which showcase Trabaci's virtuosity and his ability to create music that is both technically demanding and emotionally resonant. These pieces are particularly well-suited to the harpsichord and organ, instruments that Trabaci was known to have played with great skill.

Performances on this album are by Sergio Vartolo on harpsichord and organ, with Andrew Lawrence-King on harp. Their interpretations are both scholarly and engaging, bringing Trabaci's music to life with a keen sense of historical context and a deep understanding of the composer's intentions.

Whether you are a seasoned enthusiast of early music or a newcomer looking to explore the rich heritage of the Baroque period, "Keyboard Music, Book 2" offers a rewarding and enriching listening experience. It is a celebration of Giovanni Maria Trabaci's contributions to the keyboard repertoire and a testament to the enduring power of his music.