Cantiones sacrae (Geistliche Konzerte)

Description

This is one of the very few collections of dances for ensemble to be printed in Italy. Johann Hieronymus Kapsberger found fame mostly as a performer on and composer for, plucked instruments such as lute and chitarrone. In 1615 he published his only collections of ensemble instrumental music, the Libro Primo de Sinfonie and the collection printed here complete, the Libro Primo de Balli, Gagliardi et correnti a quattro voci. It consists of eight balli, each of which is in two parts, the uscita and the ballo proper, followed by six gagliardi and six correnti. It is reasonable to assume, given the circles in which Kapsberger moved, that these dances are of the court rather than of the populace.