COMPOSERS: Ferrabosco,Johnson,Lawes,Nau,Notari,Webster
LABELS: Hyperion
WORKS: Fantasia in G minor for three trebles
PERFORMER: Parley of Instruments Renaissance Violin Band/Peter Holman
CATALOGUE NO: CDA 66806 DDD
This admirable disc could hardly have been made, at any rate to this high standard, even twenty years ago. It is the result of impeccable scholarship and a greatly increased knowledge of string capacities of the late 17th century.
There must have been a quite staggering difference in sound between a violin of 1685 and one of 1785 and a similar development in bowing technique. Many of the exquisite pieces on this CD will be new to listeners: if you wish to sample one work, try Robert Johnson’s Fantasia in G minor for three trebles: it is a revelation, and the ethereal sound is beautiful.
Altogether this is one of the finest discs I have heard in a very long time. Congratulations to all concerned! HC Robbins Landon