Found in a Flea Market (9/21/23)

Midtown Concerts sponsored by Gotham Early Music Scene

Music from the Carlo G Manuscript
Audrey Fernandez-Fraser ~ soprano; Gwendolyn Toth ~ harpsichord

Confiteor Deo – Carlo G (?–?) (see below)
Iste est qui ante Deum
Panis Angelicus

Keyboard Intabulation of Vidi Speciosam by Alessandro Grandi (1583–1630)
(in the style of Carlo G by Gwendolyn Toth)

Sub umbra illis
Quam dilecta

From the Castell’ Arquato manuscript – (anon. ca. 1550)
  Pavana – Saltarello – Ripresa ~ Ciel turchin ~ Non ti partir de me ~ Al carmoonese ~ Zorso

Benedictus Deus – Carlo G 

Apparently, this folio of music (c.1600–1620) was actually found in a flea market about fifteen years ago. By now you’re probably asking, “Who the heck is Carlo G? The great-great … grandfather of Kenny G?” I just don’t know. The program notes gave no explanation. Of course, I dove down the rabbit hole and found this – Most of the pieces in the manuscript are by Carlo G.; his name appears fully on the first page of the manuscript, but unfortunately a dark stain hides his last name. In the rest of the manuscript  only his initials are used: C. G. 

Well, that clears things up, right? Anyhow, the music was very interesting, even if there was a sameness from piece to piece. 

Overall, the concert was very enjoyable. Within the sameness of the pieces there were tempo and dynamic variations. The texts were a little hard to follow, since the vocal writing involved a lot of melisma (one vowel stretched over many notes) and poetic license (the text not always following the written lyrics). 

The harpsichord piece of dances in the middle was also a little hard to follow as well, since one dance seemed to blend into the next. [phone! really?!?] But all of the dances were very interesting, with nice variations of tempos and rhythms. 

The final Benedictus was indeed a blessing, with hope for the future included.

ConcertMeister