Vincenzo and Michelangelo Galilei -- Musiche per liuto

Vincenzo and Michelangelo Galilei -- These days, Galileo is the most famous member of the Galilei family. But at the turn of the 17th Century, that wasn't the case. Galileo's father, Vincenzo Galilei was a renowned lutenist and an influential music theorist. 

In the 1590s, a group of musicians and scholars -- the Florentine Camerata -- sought to revive ancient Greek music and drama. Vincenzo Galilei had done extensive acoustical experiments. His work became a key component of what the Camerata developed. 

The Camerata didn't succeed in reviving ancient Greek music. But they did develop a new style of music -- the Baroque -- and a new musical form, the opera.

Vincenzo Galilei published several collections of lute music based on his new theories. Christian Zimmermann presents a selection of this music. 

Galilei wrote these pieces in only major and minor keys. This was part of the new Baroque aesthetic. And it represented a clean break from the church modes of the Renaissance. 

This recording also includes music by Michelangelo Galilei. He was Vincenzo's son and Galileo's brother. And he was also a virtuoso lutenist. 

Michelangelo's music is more concerned with technique than theory. So hearing music by father and son together is enlightening. 

Zimmermann uses both a six-course lute and a ten-course lute for this recording. The two instruments provide a welcome variety of timber. And, I suspect, some of these pieces are better suited to a particular instrument. 

The recital is well-recorded. The sound is clean and close-up. But the balance is good, and the instruments have a natural resonance. 

Highly recommended to anyone curious about the origins of the Baroque.

Vincenzo and Michelangelo Galilei
Musiche per liuto
Christian Zimmermann, lute
Tactus