Classical Editor: Rob Barnett


Music Webmaster
Len Mullenger: Len@musicweb-international.com


Reviews from other months
THE NOBLE BASS VIOL......Works by: Purcell, Bocchi, Handel, Finger, Conti, etc.  Mark Caudle: Bass Viol. The Parley of Instruments Peter Holman. Hyperion CDA67088 78m DDD

 


Crotchet

Amazon


As Hyperion's 'English Orpheus' series proceeds, we continue to marvel afresh at the constant riches that are being mined from England's gloriously active musical past. This varied collection has the now defunct bass viol as its protagonist and Peter Holman has managed to find around eight composers for this instrument, an achievement that should sell the disc alone for rarity reasons. Purcell's classic 'two upon a ground' Variations set the distinctive tone of beauty with Mark Caudle's viol mesmerisingly alive throughout. Then the rarities begin.

Hely and Gorton were unknown to me before this listen and I can safely say that their music, if not as inspired as Purcell, lacks nothing in taste and refinement with Gorton's Suite particularly tasteful and refreshing. Draghi's delightful 'Italian Ground' is also highly innovative with full use made of the opposite registers of the instrument. Still, the real gem of this superbly recorded disc lies in the works of Gottfried Finger. A Moravian exile, he brought much dashing virtuosity and music of a rich palette to England as these three works amply demonstrate. The Pastorale in A major is a particular success with rich harmonized inflexions and some beautiful variations towards the end, surely the hands of a master are at work here.

Eleven minutes of harmonic glory are the prerogaritive of the final movement of the Suite in D, a colourful work that exploits the full tonal palette of the bass viol. This is arguably some of the finest repertoire that Hyperion have rediscovered recently. After such inspired music, Francesco Conti's fragmentary 'Ungrateful cruel maid' may sound slightly disjointed although there is no denying ist effects. I was unaware of Corelli's sublime Sonata in G, a work rather reminiscent of his Op. 6 concertos with full ripienos and highly original treatment of structure.

Two Sonatas by Handel (one is an attribution) reveal the famous Georgian composer in the best of spirits although these pieces cannot match the exuberance and vitality of his best works. Framed between the Handelian contributions to the bass viol repertoire we find the unjustly neglected Lorenzo Bocchi whose Sonata is an admirable excercise in harmony and counterpoint.

Throughout the disc, Mark Caudle's playing is exceptional and he is the brains behind most of the reconstructions, these works apparently survive with minimal parts and fragmentary scores. It is highly intriguing to leaf through Peter Holman's entertaining notes which are brimful with good humor and knowledgeable anecdotes. The recording is ideally crisp and clear, a model of its kind. Another self-recommending Hyperion CD from the justly famous 'English Orpheus' series.

Reviewer

Gerald Fenech

Performance:

Sound:

Reviewer

Gerald Fenech

Performance:

Sound:



Reviews carry sales links
but you can also purchase
from:







Return to Index