Spiritillo Mediterraneo

Description

Violinist Cristina Prats Costa releases her debut solo album, Spiritillo Mediterraneo, a vibrant portrait of the sound world of 17th- and 18th-century music, shaped by Mediterranean cultures. Inspired by Andrea Falconieri's Il Spiritillo Brando, the album uses the spiritillo—a mischievous, lively spirit—as a metaphor for the Baroque imagination: a realm of invention, improvisation, and richly ornamented dialogue. The Mediterranean appears here not as a border, but as a crossroads where Italian virtuosity, Spanish rhythmic fire, and French elegance converge. Works by Falconieri, Matteis, Sanz, Murcia, Nebra, Biber, Rebel, and Vivaldi reflect these exchanges, intensely colored by the use of castanets, which bring an incomparable Iberian rhythmic vitality. The Spanish pieces are presented in Cristina Prats Costa's personal arrangements, further personalizing the album's musical journey. Deeply personal, Spiritillo Mediterraneo also reflects Cristina Prats Costa's artistic journey. Rooted in her Spanish heritage and shaped by years of concerts across Europe, North and South America, and Asia, the album places ornamentation at the heart of its expression—not as mere decoration, but as narrative. Drawing on Italian virtuosity, French refinement, and the vibrant rhythm of Spanish dance and guitar traditions, these interpretations blend historical perspective with a singular voice. The result is a recording of rhythmic energy, intimacy, and richness of color, driven by a curious, agile, and vibrant spirit.