Ciaconna for Two Violins

Two works on tonight’s program relate to the chaconne theme explored on Wednesday’s concert. The Ciacona for Two Violins and Continuo by Tarquino Merula (1594-1665) uses a very short subject: a simple three-chord progression lasting two measures. Above that foundation, Merula composes about a dozen glittering variations for the two violins. At times the strings operate in call-and-response style, while at other times they are paired simultaneously. Merula mainly wrote vocal music, including dozens of madrigals and motets in a style redolent of Monteverdi. But this Ciacona shows how deeply he absorbed the latest virtuosic string writing found in Venice, a tradition that would culminate with Vivaldi.

(c) Jason Stell