Printed by Bartolomeo Magni in Venice in 1641, this third book, whose full title emphasizes Ferrari’s three activities (as poet, singer, and theorbist), also affirms that the author considers himself a poet and sets only his own texts to music. This 34-page collection contains seventeen pieces for solo voice and basso continuo on which, according to Alessandro Magini, “the sophistication of monophonic chant and the refinement of the harmonic-rhythmic structure that make enforcement difficult at a point as only the greatest virtuosos of the court were able to execute them.» It is no coincidence that Ferrari dedicated his collections for voice and continuo to the world of the court.

For fans of Il Giardino Armonico's flamboyant flourishes and exuberant expressiveness, it's like having all your birthdays at once, being presented with this great Warner Classics 11 CD set. My own feeling is that this "free" approach to Baroque music is at its best when applied to the theatrical music of disc 8 or the seventeenth century Italian music on disc 1. The showmanship and playfulness is an absolute joy in many of those pieces. I'm less satisfied with the interpretations of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, (on discs 10 and 11), which require a different approach, I feel. I like my Bach to be a little more measured and subtle, I suppose. It has no need of the Il Giardino Armonico treatment. On the whole, though, I do love this set and wouldn't be without it.