Il primo libro di capricci
Twelve capriccios on diverse subjects and airs, published in Rome in 1624 (F 4.01–4.12). The capriccio designation granted Frescobaldi maximum expressive freedom: nine pieces are based on named subjects (ascending hexachord, descending hexachord, Bassa fiamenga, Cuckoo, Ruggiero, Spagnolette, and two solfège patterns), while two explore procedural obligations — Capriccio di durezze (harsh dissonances) and Capriccio cromatico con ligature al contrario (chromatic suspensions resolved upward). The twelfth requires the performer to sing a hidden fifth part aloud. Frescobaldi notes in his preface: \"In these compositions I have not maintained as easy a style as in my Ricercari.\" The collection was reprinted in 1626, 1628, and 1642. Freely available on IMSLP.
Works in this Collection (12)
- Capriccio sopra ut, re, mi, fa, sol, la Capriccio I — Ut Re Mi Fa Sol La Difficulty
- Capriccio sopra la, sol, fa, mi, re, ut Capriccio II — La Sol Fa Mi Re Ut Difficulty
- Capriccio sopra la Bassa fiamenga Capriccio III — Bassa fiamenga Difficulty
- Capriccio sopra l'aria 'Or che noi rimena' Capriccio IV — Aria 'Or che noi rimena' Difficulty
- Capriccio di durezze Capriccio V — Di durezze Difficulty
- Capriccio sopra un soggetto Capriccio VI — Sopra un soggetto Difficulty
- Capriccio sopra l'aria di Ruggiero Capriccio VII — Aria di Ruggiero Key G Difficulty
- Capriccio sopra il Cucho Capriccio VIII — Il Cucho Difficulty
- Capriccio sopra la, sol, fa, re, mi Capriccio IX — La Sol Fa Re Mi Difficulty
- Capriccio sopra la Spagnolette Capriccio X — Spagnolette Difficulty
- Capriccio cromatico con ligature al contrario Capriccio XI — Cromatico con ligature Difficulty
- Capriccio obligo di cantare la quinta parte Capriccio XII — Obligo di cantare la quinta parte Difficulty