StarsStarsStarsStarsStars

Dario Castello: Sonate Concertate in Stil Moderno, Libro Primo

Highly sophisticated and emotionally complex creations.
[This is archived content and may not display in the originally intended format.]

Cover Image: Dario Castello: Sonata Concertate In Stil Moderno, Libro Primo via AAM.

A problem with this newly released recording of exquisite music by Venetian composer Dario Castello is that he may never have existed.  The recording comprises his first of two Books of Sonatas (published in Venice in 1621), twelve compositions for various instruments: two violins, cornetto, violetta (a high cello), dulcian, trombone, theorbo and continuo.  These are highly sophisticated and emotionally complex creations; a five-minute sonata may have half a dozen distinct mood changes.

The title pages of both Books list the composer as being employed by the Serenissima Signoria di Venezia in San Marco.  Venice, at the time quite obsessive in its recording of administrative affairs however, does not list Castello in any salary accounts.  It is clear and obvious that he was very familiar with the music of his contemporary Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) – much of Castello’s music borrows from the famous composer’s newly established ‘Stil Moderno’ or modern style that is indeed mentioned in the title – though Monteverdi never mentions Castello in correspondence.  Speculation has it that Castello and Monteverdi are in fact one and the same.  I cannot agree with this, given that Monteverdi’s compositional style was so much more eloquent in narrative and style (and he would never frit away so many worthwhile ideas).

Like foie gras, here is rich music that needs to be consumed in very small mouthfuls.  Feasting on all twelve compositions at once, as I did, is not recommended.  Richard Egarr, the director of the Academy of Ancient Music, admits to being fascinated by these highly affecting works for 34 years before being afforded the opportunity to record them.  As a result their gambit of emotional light and shade is given full depth of maturity and understanding in this fine account.  The performance both convinces and fascinates.

So who wrote these extraordinary works?  They surely could not have been created without significant compositional experience.  Intriguingly, perhaps we’ll never know.

Highly recommended.

 

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Dario Castello: Sonata Concertate In Stil Moderno, Libro Primo  

The Academy of Ancient Music

On this recording
Pavlo Beznosiuk – violin I
Bojan Čičić – violin II
Josué Meléndez – cornetto
Joseph Crouch – violetta
Benny Aghassi – dulcian
Susan Addison – trombone
William Carter – theorbo
Richard Egarr – director, harpsichord & organ
Sonata Concertate In Stil Moderno, Libro Primo 
Sonata prima for two violins
Sonata seconda for two violins
Sonata terza for violin I and cornetto
Sonata quarta for violin I and violetta
Sonata quinta for violin II and trombone
Sonata sesta for cornetto and violetta
Sonata settima for violin I and dulcian
Sonata ottava for violin II and dulcian
Sonata nona for cornetto, violin I and dulcian
Sonata decima for two violins and dulcian
Sonata undecima for two violins and dulcian
Sonata duodecima for two violins and trombone

David Barmby
About the Author
David Barmby is former head of artistic planning of Musica Viva Australia, director of music at St James' Anglican Church, King Street, artistic administrator of Bach 2000 (Melbourne Festival), the Australian National Academy of Music and Melbourne Recital Centre.