Antonii’s ricercars are the first known printed works for solo cello, appearing in 1687, followed by Domenico Gabrielli’s seven ricercars in 1691. As no known manuscript exists, this edition is based on a careful and thorough study of a copy of the only original publication located in the Civico Museo Bibliografico-Musicale in Bologna, Italy. My purpose in producing this edition is to provide cellists with a complete, accurate and logical performance copy from which they may develop their own ideas. It is important to be aware of Antonii’s use of both modal as well as tonal elements in these works which produce delightful and sometimes surprising ambiguities in their unfoldment.
Copies are $12.00. To purchase, please contact me for payment and mailing information.
e-mail: villanicello@verizon.net
Theresa Villani, Philadelphia-born, earned a Bachelor of Music degree, cum laude, from the Philadelphia Musical Academy (now the University of the Arts) and a Master of Music degree from Catholic University, earning both on full-tuition scholarships and fellowships. Studies continued at the Peabody Conservatory of Music at Johns Hopkins University where for five years she was enrolled in the Special Graduate Student program. Notable cellists with whom she has studied are Elsa Hilger, Lorne Munroe, and Mihaly Virizlay.
In the world of early music, Ms. Villani studied with Marjorie Bram-McPhillamy, Katerina Meints, Martha Bishop, Jay Bernfeld, and Sara Cunningham. Awarded an Artist Resource Fund Grant from Pinellas County, FL, she attended the Baroque Performance Institute at the Oberlin Conservatory. The Tampa Bay Early Music Consort, with Karl Klein and Walter Bitner, was awarded a Hillsborough Arts Council grant to produce a recording at St. Andrews Church in Tampa, FL
