Monteverdi: Selva Morale e Spirituale

Selva morale e spirituale was Claudio Monteverdi's (1567-1643) most substantial and important anthology of liturgical works since the Vespers in 1610. The collection of various works in different instrumentation was published in Venice in 1640 and 1641. The Selva morale e spirituale (literally meaning "Moral and spiritual Forest") presents works composed at San Marco, Venice, where Monteverdi had served since 1613. It contains various forms of sacred music, from madrigals in Italian to a complete Mass, the instrumentation varying between a single voice to eight voices with instruments: moral madrigals on Italian poems, the Messa à 4 da capella, set in stile antico (old style) for four voices and basso continuo and the seven-part Gloria à 7 in stile concertato.

Most substantial are the psalms compositions, especially the ones used regularly for a vespers service, such as Dixit Dominus, Confitebor tibi, Domine (Psalm 111), Beatus Vir (Psalm 112), Laudate pueri Dominum (Psalm 113) and Laudate Dominum (Psalm 117), most of them in various settings. The collection also contains settings of Marian hymns such as the Magnificat and Salve Regina.

With this new recording Le Nuove Musiche conducted by Krijn Koetsveld presents a new highlight in their Monteverdi Pilgrimage, the projected recording of the complete works by Monteverdi. Their recording of the complete Madrigals received excellent reviews in the international press: "5 stars" (Volkskrant), "A polished, well-balanced sound.. consistently musical and intelligent" (Early Music), "Again a convincing issue…excellent throughout" (Klassik.com), "Performance: 10. …an .incredibly beautiful, excellent recording.."(Dutch magazine Luister).

"Le Nuove Musiche easily withstands the comparison with most renowned ensembles in this particular repertoire. We hear it all: great singing talent, strong imagination, pure textual fidelity and diction, sharp-edged articulation in addition to a smooth phrasing, the ever-rhythmic rhythm with its striking stakes and that perfect sense of balance." (Opus).