DUX 2229
The title Cembali spezzati does not, therefore, refer to a folding harpsichord (cembalo spezzato), nor to a keyboard instrument with split keys (tasti spezzati), but to the very technique of divided choirs – cori spezzati – in which each ensemble, a complete “instrument” in itself, either collaborates with, or is set in opposition to, the other. The initial plan was to focus exclusively on dialogue-style choral music composed in Gdańsk and to transfer it to the medium of two harpsichords. Andrea Gabrieli and Claudio Merulo had acted in a similar way when they performed Italian cori spezzati on the organ. Their legendary performances in the Basilica of San Marco in Venice inspired others to use the available repertoire or improvise upon it, and, in time, to write their own music for two keyboard instruments. One such composer was Aurelio Bonelli, who wrote toccate and dialoghi for two organs or two harpsichords.
