Discover the Enchanting World of Ascanio Mayone's Renaissance-era Harp Music
Ascanio Mayone, an acclaimed harpist and composer from Naples, created an array of works that still captures the attention of musicologists and classical music fans centuries after his death. His mastery of the harp, coupled with a brilliant understanding of melodious crafting, imbued his compositions with a unique sonic character that stands as a testament to the grandeur and sophistication of the Renaissance era.
Ascanio Mayone: A Prominent Neapolitan Composer and Harpist
Mayone was a prominent figure during the Italian Renaissance and into the early Baroque period. He trained under Giovanni de Macque in Naples and served as organist at Santissima Annunziata Maggiore and later at the Spanish Chapel Royal. Naples was a major center for harp-playing at the time, and Mayone’s role there placed him at the heart of Italian Renaissance music innovation.
Mayone's Contribution to Harp Music
Mayone is especially known for his keyboard publications, but many of these works were either specifically designated for harp (“per l’arpa”) or display characteristics suggesting they were well-suited to the instrument. Features such as intervals too wide for the keyboard and trills arranged for the ‘arpa doppia’ (double harp) point to their intended use for harpists. Renaissance sources confirm that keyboard and lute music was commonly adapted for harp, reflecting a fluid approach to instrumentation during the era.
Andrew Lawrence-King's Interpretation of Mayone's Works
Join Andrew Lawrence-King, a world-renowned harpist who shares Mayone's love for the instrument, as he unfurls Mayone's captivating compositions in the contemporary world with his STAGE+ performance series. Lawrence-King is respected around the globe for his intricate understanding of the historical context in which the music was created, bringing depth and authenticity to his performances. In this showcase, Lawrence-King explores Mayone's most mesmerizing pieces, playing them on a historically accurate harp and delivering them with the emotive power they were originally crafted with.
Mayone's Musical Style and Legacy
Mayone’s music is characterized by its ornate style and expressive potential, aligning with the broader tendencies of 17th-century harp music in Italy. His works, alongside those of Trabaci, played a significant part in the repertoire, both for keyboard and harp, and remain influential in our understanding of Renaissance instrumental music.
Experience an unforgettable musical journey into the past with Ascanio Mayone's genius, as brought to life by Andrew Lawrence-King. This collection of performances is a magnificent exploration of the beauty and intricacy of the Italian Renaissance music, offering listeners an opportunity to immerse themselves in an era of cultural grandeur and superb artistic expression.