Composer

:

Girolamo Frescobaldi

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Publication Date

:

1637

Average_duration

:

3:05

Girolamo Frescobaldi was an Italian composer and keyboardist of the Baroque era. He was born in Ferrara in 1583 and died in Rome in 1643. He was one of the most important composers of keyboard music in the early Baroque period, and his works had a significant influence on the development of keyboard music in Italy and beyond. One of Frescobaldi's most famous works is the Toccate d'intavolatura... No. 15, Capriccio sopra la Battaglia. This piece was composed in the early 17th century and is a prime example of Frescobaldi's virtuosic keyboard writing. The Toccata is divided into three movements: the first is a toccata, the second is a fugue, and the third is a capriccio. The toccata is characterized by its fast, virtuosic passages and its use of imitative counterpoint. The fugue is a more structured movement, with a clear subject and a series of episodes that explore different tonal areas. The capriccio is a lively and playful movement that features a number of different themes and variations. The title of the piece, Capriccio sopra la Battaglia, refers to the battle between the Turks and the Christians that took place in 1571. The piece is programmatic, meaning that it tells a story through music. The opening toccata represents the sound of the battle drums, while the fugue represents the clash of the armies. The capriccio is a celebration of the Christian victory. Frescobaldi's Toccate d'intavolatura... No. 15, Capriccio sopra la Battaglia premiered in the early 17th century and quickly became one of his most popular works. Its virtuosic keyboard writing and programmatic elements made it a favorite among audiences and performers alike. Today, it is still considered one of the most important works in the keyboard repertoire of the Baroque era.

More....