Maxine Eilander, Stephen Stubbs - Sonate al Pizzico (2004)

Three important and characteristic instruments played a unique role in the endlessly rich repertoire of the early Italian baroque: the arpa doppia (double harp), the chitarrone (a kind of theorbo), and the chitarra spagnola (Spanish guitar). Whether playing virtuosic solo music, whether lending a simple continuo accompaniment, or joining voices in contrapuntal ensembles, these plucked and strummed strings create a spicy aural experience which relates to both senses of the Italian verb \0x2522pizzicare\0x2522 (to bite or pinch). Whether you are thinking of the plucking of a string, or the addition of \0x2522un pizzico di sale\0x2522 to a delicious meal, let Pizzico stand for the delight of all the senses.