early baroque

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788) - more commonly known as C.P.E. Bach - was a German musician and composer of the early Classical period. The second of eleven sons of Johann Sebastian Bach and Maria Barbara Bach, C.P.E. Bach was born in Weimar on 8th March 1714. He was one of the founders of the Classical style, composing in the rococo and classical periods. Through the latter half of the eighteenth century, his reputation was very high. This was mainly because of his clavier sonatas, which marked an important development in the history of musical form.

See I Fagiolini & Robert Hollingworth . I Fagiolini is an ensemble of immaculate musicianship, specialising in Renaissance vocal music (though they also perform contemporary works). Their style is dramatic and exciting, bringing out the rich emotional span of Renaissance poetry and music (‘First-rate musical actors… quite gorgeous…’ American Record Guide). The Full Monteverdi, their film of Monteverdi madrigals using singers paired with actors is being shown on TV all over Europe.

Claudio Monteverdi ("Green Mountain") (Cremona May 15, 1567 – November 29, 1643) was an Italian composer, violinist and singer. His work marks the transition from Renaissance to Baroque music. During his long life he produced work that can be classified in both categories, and he was one of the most significant revolutionaries that brought about the change in style. Monteverdi wrote the earliest dramatically viable opera, Orfeo, and was fortunate enough to enjoy fame during his lifetime.