Johann Kapsberger: Toccata Arpeggiata; David Tayler, theorbo

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The Toccata Arpeggiata from Johann Kapsberger's Book I (Venice, 1604). Performed on the theorbo by David Tayler. Live video from the SF based Early Music Ensemble Voices of Music, from the Great Artists Series 2012.
Musicological Notes:
My reconstruction of the style of playing the lute in the first decade of the 17th century is based on a study of the many different musical genres from the time, including the keyboard and lute toccatas, the violin sonatas and the wide variety of vocal music, including the Littera Amorosa. Early keyboard and lute music reveals a dizzying array of arpeggiation patterns, with very few written-out works that use a relentless or uniform approach. Another feature of this early 17th century style is that the music almost always has contrasting sections, and this feature is present in both vocal and instrumental works. Chord patterns, arpeggios and melodic fragments are combined to form these sections, as well as provide small ritornellos. Echo, piano and forte effects, which were just starting to be used (Monteverdi, 1607) are added with gradations, within the small but present dynamic range of the lute.
Literary influences for my interpretation center around the poetical forms in vogue 1600-1610, including the sonnet and especially the freer and rhythmically complex form of Gabriello Chiabrera: rhymes, lines, line breaks and rhyming pattern are woven into the musical fabric.
Perhaps such a style must have existed in order for later composers to imitate it; there are many ways to interpret Kapsberger, and I hope to see many more versions by my colleagues.
Theorbo 82cm by Andreas von Holst, Munich.
#Kapsberger #Toccata #ToccataArpeggiata

[@AlessandroValliTheMeltedDog]

I'm in tears. Such beautiful music and so well played. I aways loved Kapsberger, but never heard so well played.

[@heathersterling-minder4437]

I am glad I am not the only one...I cry EVERY time I listen to this. It is sooooo moving. If I ever needed to cry on cue, this would be the ticket. The composition and the playing is something from Heaven.

[@johnruggeri843]

For me musically sonic magic. The sound of the theorbo to me is sensual. The music and performance are intoxicating. What a joy that near 70, new things amaze and delight me. Regards-John

[@TiticatFollies]

I am past 70! And new things (and old things too) amaze and delight. The theorbo is something I have loved from the moment I first heard its incomparably beautiful sound.

[@1LaOriental]

John Ruggeri Beautifully stated. I agree: Magic, intoxicating and sensual.👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@infledermaus]

Please never stop being amazed, John.

[@markosparko7873]

My day has been uplifted from the mundane and my life enriched by the voice of this beautiful instrument and the skill of the musician. Many Thanks for this.

[@VoicesofMusic]

@3109Pointer Theorbo 82cm by Andreas von Holst, Munich

[@arnobooy2493]

This is the 27th time I watch and hear this wonderful music. Can go on for hours!!

[@yellolab09]

What a contemplative way to wake up to the new year: This Reverie

[@VoicesofMusic]

:)

[@larikipe940]

Finally, somebody with enough creativity to think outside the box. Fabulous!

[@ratroddiesels1981]

this is a magnificent performance .

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you so much!

[@willem6900]

Never heard the Arpeggiata being played like this and it is wonderfully beautiful. ❤

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you.

[@quasar6539]

Can't describe with words how beautiful this is, I'm so glad I found this

[@cesarpedroso2952]

These instruments are wonderful

[@DisHammerhand]

What a heavenly sounding instrument. Listening to this is superb for de-stressing.

[@ChrisCoombes]

I like how everyone waited for David before applauding.

[@Zaksporebrainiac]

a beautiful instrument that has been forgotten thanks to the guitar. great playing

[@VoicesofMusic]

@jwoodman We looked for a long time to find a way to capture the string motion with the cameras--not just the lute but also the violin, cello and so on. Thanks for stopping by.

[@earfulaudio5199]

What a wonderful Player of Music. Bravo!

[@smike-lz8uf]

Thanks to You Tube I've only just found out what a theorbo actually is and have come here to hear it. Goodness, what a beautiful instrument and how wonderful to see it so lovingly played. Never too old to learn something, lol!

[@katbullar]

Pure beauty! It's almost like an esoteric experience...

[@heathersterling-minder4437]

agreed 100%

[@bonazzaenrico]

Best version ever.

[@alhuhtal]

Потрясающее исполнение, шедевр ,спасибо

[@wapolo1974]

Excellent performance, David! I think that you succeeded brilliantly in giving this piece a wonderfully improvisational flair. Look forward to hearing more of your playing. Wilson

[@davidferrara1105]

Wonderful, wonderful playing.

[@ludustestudinis]

Great! This is the best interpretation of this well known peice by Kapsberger that I have heard so far.

[@danyvoltz]

Musique qui prend aux tripes et qui touche le cœur. Merci ! :-)

[@User_zah6565]

Море ассоциаций, море человеческих судеб вскрываются в этих звуках

[@TheReturnoftheNative]

This sound is divine.

[@wapolo1974]

Really enjoyed your improvisatory take on this Toccata; it was as if I was hearing this piece for the very first time! Warm regards, Wilson

[@mariaotxandio]

So beautiful and sound

[@TheModernHermeticist]

I am a simple man, I see someone playing a lute, I hit the like button

[@davidjames9626]

Such peace

[@arvopartfratres]

Absolutely beautiful, thank you David

[@VoicesofMusic]

+ken gibson You are very welcome; thanks for taking the time to listen.

[@diomedes8791]

I’ve heard many versions of Kapsberger’s Arpeggiata, but none so beautiful as this! Hats off to you, Sir!

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you so much.

[@tamiasthechipmunk]

So calming.

[@jacobdilorenzo5574]

Didn't even mess up once, perfect and bravo

Well done ! It has Kapsbergers spirit !

[@etresanchez]

I feel like I had lived that times. I was on XVII century and now... exiled...

[@c.g.marseille4510]

I thank you David for all the time's you (for me ) played !

[@VoicesofMusic]

DT: You are very welcome!

[@Raticulin12]

Junta materiales simples, sencillos como madera y cuerda con talento y se obra el milagro. El ser humano, capaz de lo mejor y de lo peor... cierra los ojos y disfruta. Gracias.

[@exitoentudia398]

Muchas gracias maestro bravo

[@FG-sr8ll]

Cette musique est une invitation à voyager, à rêver...

[@1LaOriental]

I agree with John. Intoxicating and sensual... So many different feeling states. ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you.

[@steindavidneil]

David, Thank you for posting this performance. David

[@VoicesofMusic]

You are very welcome!

[@leonardoantoniodichiara]

Atmosfere magiche... complimenti!!

[@cuthand]

First time I've heard the theorbo used as a solo instrument.Wonderful.

[@VoicesofMusic]

:)

[@donstefanogreco4276]

Il mistero della vita in queste note

[@GLENDAGARWOOD]

Gorgeous!

[@urgentmeow]

Beautiful!

[@outcastpiper714]

Bravo and amen David

[@EmanuelGaldr]

How incredible! I hear where Bach’s prelude in C is coming from! The rubato makes so much more sense in some pieces.

[@nicolagebendinger1283]

ten years later, it's still relevant to me.

[@jamesthackaray5511]

Wonderful,thank you Mrs Burton-Hill,for your "book to discover"

[@VoicesofMusic]

@johngillbuckman Yes, the pull-ups are to adjust the tuning. I use it the most on the second and fourth frets, but I only pull it up slightly. In one place I pulled the first note a bit too high, then I pulled up the fifth slightly as well right after.

[@ApriliaRacer14]

Voices of Music Custom strings?

[@rebeccamorgan6244]

Beautiful! Never heard of the theorbo before.

[@TheChrissmyth]

Thanks to Clemency Burton-Hill for introducing me to this glorious music

[@rufushound99]

Indeed, a glorious 10th January :-)

[@TheChrissmyth]

rufushound99 Can that be THE Rufus Hound who played Mr Toad?

[@rufushound99]

Erm, no, he's a complete tosser (Rufushound, not Mr Toad :-) ).

[@tonibaker8288]

Beautiful! Thank you for making my heart feel and my soul soar

[@VoicesofMusic]

You are so welcome!

[@mario4798]

Tra Palazzo Del Monte e Fontana di Trevi, passeggiando per Roma, questo miracolo musicale si apprezza appieno ed è da qui che vi ascolto ammirato, come sempre.

[@mario4798]

Mon❤ est pour vous!

[@jwoodman]

Beautifully played and filmed. See those bass strings really vibrate in HD video!

[@ido9988]

I like this video a lot. It's probably the most innovative performance of the Toccota Arpeggiata here on KZbin! And definitely one of the best. Shame that the audio wasn't better.

[@alesjamsek2324]

*Beautiful*Beautiful*Beautiful*

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you so much

[@fuzzwahmrp]

this is captivating, great performance

[@blipblip88]

Sublime.

[@nemol73]

I’m speechless. What an extraordinary performance!

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you.

[@VoicesofMusic]

@greetschamp There is a "pit" gap, I use this instrument mainly for Opera, and the wider space allows me to play the long strings at full volume, for example at the start of an act, in the pitch dark by touch with reliability.

[@luizmariocurtygiffoni3373]

MARAVILHOSO11111

[@sanguinesaffy]

Lovely piece ,So well played, Thank you so much !

[@kelborgui]

Awesome!

[@madeleineschumacher7828]

Truly magic!

[@peterb9466]

So talented !! And such great music to listen to. Goosebumps :-)

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you so much!

[@pieterwelvaert5715]

utter beauty, top class;

[@spacebanana5000]

I just read that Athanasius Kircher said about Kapsberger, that he had truly "penetrated the secrets of music". This piece is so lovely. 2:14 sounds altogether ethereal. I also recommend that people listen to Kircher's Tarantella.

[@gerardtango7884]

Please provide source reference link for mss and any recordings of music by Fr Kirchner sj

[@kidneykutter]

Excellent, congratulations on a creative and thoughtful performance!

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you, Danny.

[@ProgRockNerd]

I'm really just familiar with Paul O'Dette's recording of this, which he does as "straight" as possible. Mr. Tayler here makes a whole new piece out of it!

[@baldwin9180]

This is so much better that what O'Dette usually does.

[@tenorschofield]

DIVINE!!!

[@arpista]

Meravigliosa!

[@robertdeoliveira13]

MAGTNIFIQUE

[@gerardtango7884]

I have never heard a bad performance from anyone with VOM

[@MM-bm5zx]

My first exposure to Bach on lute specifically and it sounds fantastic. Already queueing up the others right away. Thanks for your years of dedication to keeping this kind of music alive out there Mr. Tayler.

[@ProgRockNerd]

Just one thing: This was actually written by a man who lived a century before Bach. But yes, it does sound great. :-)

[@weerobot]

Mind Blowen....

[@BentongBarbosa]

i love this!!

[@yurygoltsev2915]

This is the very best ever performance of arpeggiata I heard. I was wondering if there is a transcription or is it really a pure improvisation over original Kapsberger score which contains just the cords.

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thanks so much, it's an improvisation over the chords.

[@VoicesofMusic]

@LifeforArt Theorbo players read both tablature and score. Score reading is required for continuo playing.

[@VoicesofMusic]

@greetschamp Greet is correct I have added some space for playability issues. Just my personal preference.

[@palfab962ify]

Loving this, Super Super sweet Great playing

[@ChristopherDLewis]

This is beautiful David!

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thanks, Chris!

[@kapellanka1048]

Прекрасная музыка, блестящее исполнение!!!

[@shineproductsnl]

Nice powerfull sound!

[@JohnBuckman]

@greetschamp Yes, that's how this kind of instrument is built. The 6 courses are like a lute, on the main neck, and then bass strings are added to it that are strung onto a neck extension, so that they can be very deep. Those deep notes are one of the main characteristics of the theorbo in ensemble playing, lending a very deep bass plucked sound that cuts through.

[@katrienwelffens1625]

Meraviglioso

[@GerardvanR]

Very nice, David. You are a great theobo player.

[@VoicesofMusic]

That is so kind, thank you so much.

[@c.g.marseille4510]

heel erg mooi....

[@ribpaie]

Version remarquable thanks for posting

Hermoso!!

[@jgcaesar4]

Such virtuosity. How much practice to make it appear so effortless?

[@darb.musica]

Lovely, what a beautiful sound and interpretation. May I ask how is the Theorbo tuned?

[@catherineouriaghli6396]

PURE MERVEILLE !!!

[@VoicesofMusic]

merci...

[@catherineouriaghli6396]

@@VoicesofMusic Merci à vous...

[@3109Pointer]

Very nice piece. Well done. Most of David's parts are accompaniment. Good to see a solo. More would be good. Who built the theorbo?

[@picksalot1]

Magnificent playing, musicality, and tone. 👍The sound of the Theorbo makes me want to convert my Renaissance Lute to it. I hope Modern strings might make it possible to get reasonable bass tones with out having to add a bass extension. 🤷‍♀

[@kyungheelee9726]

Great.

[@syntheticperson]

Sublime

[@dominikwawrzyniak7748]

:-) wonderful ...