During the first half of the 17th century many short pieces were composed - especially collections of dances and arias. The authors featured in this volume (Biagio Marini, Salamone Rossi, Andrea Falconieri, Maurizio Cazzati and Marco Uccellini) lived in the most diverse provinces of Italy, from Venice to Naples.

Not only are the geographical differences perceptible in these pieces, but the temporal differences can also be distinguished; Rossi's dances (written around 1610) are almost still Renaissance music, while Cazzati's compositions (circa 1660) almost anticipate Corelli's style.