My apologies to folks on the list not interested in continuo performance
practice. I'm not sure what list is most appropriate for these matters
(could/should a Continuo forum be established?).
Hor che Tempo is a lullaby, thus the droning quality of most of continuo part.
There is a shift in tonality and mood at the end that is tricky. Overall, it's
a deceptive piece: It's long and difficult for the singer (technically and
dramatically); and it is also hard on the theorbist. I've heard fine
recordings by Nigel North and (I think) Jill Feldman and by Maria Cristina
Kiehr with La Fenice (Heritage of Monteverdi, vol. V). The Heritage of
Monteverdi series offers more fine music by Merula. I'm not sure how easy it
is to find the recordings anymore, but they are worth the hunt.
I wish there were a good anthology of printed music of Merula or a collected
works. He's a fine composer.
Thomas
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