• Giovanni Legrenzi (1626-1690) was an Italian composer of opera, vocal and instrumental music. He held several important posts as court musician and Maestro di Cappella in Ferrara, Mantua, Bologna and finally Venice, where he was appointed at the prestigious San Marco.

• This new recording presents Sonatas and Motets for solo voices (alto and tenor) played by organ, cornetto and baroque trombone. The use of these brass instruments is in the tradition of Castello, Cima and Fontana. In addition we hear works by contemporaries Merula, Battiferri, Pollarola and Colonna. The use of the brass instruments lends a special festive character to these highly attractive, melodious compositions.

• Played by Ensemble Zenit, specialized in this particular repertoire, and alto Isabella di Pietro and tenor Roberto Rilievi. The booklet notes are written by an Italian musicologist.

Battiferri: Ricercare Sesto
Colonna, G P: Sonata No.7 del Colonna di Bologna
Legrenzi: Albescite flores a 4
Legrenzi: Ave Regina coelorum
Legrenzi: Hodie collentatur Coeli a 2
Legrenzi: Plaudite vocibus
Legrenzi: Sonata ‘La Colloreta’ a 2
Legrenzi: Suspiro Domine
Legrenzi: Trio Sonata, Op. 2 No. 7 'La Donata'
Legrenzi: Trio Sonata, Op. 2 No. 8 'La Foscari'
Merula: Canzon di Tarquinio Merula
Pollarolo: Sonata No.2 del Pollaroli