Video of the week: Concerto Scirocco plays Selma y Salaverde’s Fantasia basso solo

A journey into the sounds of 17th-century Spain, performed by Concerto Scirocco under the direction of Giulia Genini.

This week’s Moto Rec takes us to the early Baroque with Bartolomé de Selma y Salaverde’s Fantasia basso solo, performed by Concerto Scirocco and its founder and artistic director, Giulia Genini.

The four-minute work is part of Folías y Glosas, the ensemble’s new album, released on 4 September. The recording explores music associated with Spain around the turn of the 17th century and its influence across Europe, bringing together composers including Antonio de Cabezón, Diego Ortiz, Andrea Falconieri, Michael Praetorius and Selma y Salaverde.

The album takes its name from two important elements of early performance practice: folías, based on a recurring harmonic pattern with roots in popular music, and glosas, the art of ornamenting and elaborating an existing musical line. Across its 22 tracks, Concerto Scirocco explores the connections between Spanish musical traditions and the styles circulating through Italy and northern Europe.

Folías y Glosas is available on major streaming platforms.