Baroque painting begins with Caravaggio (1571–1610), who in a short and violent life created a new style of naturalism. His scenes of sacred history are like brief flashes of lightning, capturing all the drama and horror of a single moment. On this CD, the world of Caravaggio is given a musical perspective with a carefully chosen selection of pieces by the finest composers of his time. Inside, Hugh Griffith provides explanatory notes on his life and musical environment.

The Naxos Art and Music series presents the composers active during the lives of the leading painters and sculptors, setting a musical context to their work.