The extraordinary Codex Squarcialupi serves as the basis for this magnificently presented, well-conceived and well-structured recording. The difficulties of these works from the Trecento are well known, with their complex rhythmic textures, use of puns in which the names of woman appear and disappear in their imbrication in the texts and their complex versification. It must have been a pleasure to be in Perugia, Mantua or Florence during this period and to have accidentally bumped into Giovanni, Gherardellus, Laurentius or Andreas, to cite only those related to Florence.

This recording includes a caccia, ballatas and two-and three-part madrigals (there is an extraordinary performance of the caccia, composed by Giovanni sa Cascia, which also lends its title to this CD). Then there is Dolgomi a voi maestri, in which the inclusion at the end of the syllables of solmisation and the text itself, reflect the importance of the music in these settings. Apart from the above-mentioned Squarcialupi, the performers have taken advantage of some pieces that have been conserved in other manuscripts using different forms to provide richer versions.

Thus the ballata Ricorditi di me with its countertenor from the codex Lucca, is presented in three parts in this manuscripts, while in the first it is given in two. Undoubtedly the harmonic richness in the version given here justifies the choice. The vocal performances are impeccable: the diction is clear, phrasing balanced and the instrumental accompaniment, where present, discrete. The purely instrumental works are performed extremely tastefully. JUAN CARLOS ASENSIO