Cristofano Malvezzi

From the year 1551 Malvezzi lived in the city of Florence. He served the Medici court from 1562 until his death. As the organist of Saint Trinita in 1562 Malvezzi later acceded to the position of master of the chapel for the Cathedral of Florence and Saint Giovanni Battista in 1573. The latter position was, musically, the most honorific and important position one could maintain in Florence. Compositions were arranged in the genres of ricercares for the organ, madrigals and only a few motets. A minimal amount of sacred compositions was unusual for an organist employed with a cathedral. The ricercares are illustrative of Malvezzi's skills in counterpoint and these compositions employed the use of themes in inversions, diminutions and augmentations. Madrigals were scored for five voices, in two of his books, and six voices in one of his books. His most popular works appeared in anthologies both before and after his death. Malvezzi also composed music for the "intermedi" in Florence to be performed between the acts of plays. ~ Keith Johnson, Rovi