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As can be seen from the above adumbration, this is a
compilation CD in Claves’ ‘Portrait’ series, and features a top recorder
player from Switzerland. Maurice Steger who is a pupil of, amongst others,
the Dutch early music expert and also recorder player Kees Boeke. Steger
is well known on the continent indeed I have heard him play with Musica
Antiqua of Cologne in Germany but he is practically unknown elsewhere.
Perhaps this disc will start to redress the balance.
The first thing to say is that this is a very enjoyable
disc with contrasted pieces both in style and in instrumentation, and
with works from Italy, Germany and England dating from the late Renaissance
to the late baroque there is always something to cater for several different
tastes. So for example the disc opens with four English masque pieces
for mixed consort which includes some delightful lute playing, from the
early 17th Century, then we hear some divisions on a ground by Carr for
recorder, lute, bass viol and continuo and moves on to a concerto in F
major by Vivaldi with some elegant string playing.
Not only is Steger’s playing nothing less than outstanding
in tone, phrasing and sheer musicality, but also the accompaniments are
tasteful and beautifully conceived be they lute, harpsichord, a small
mixed consort or string orchestra. Not only that but we also have a work
for solo recorder which gives Steger a chance to demonstrate his own expressive
qualities and fluid approach to tempi and phrasing. In addition to all
of this the recording captures the music marvellously and the recorder
although always up-front, as it were, is kindly balanced within the ensemble
occupying a position within its orbit.
Three particular tracks that are well worth sampling
are: the lively 12/8 finale of Vivaldi’s A minor Concerto for some wonderful
ensemble and continuo organ work and carefully graded dynamics, John Hilton’s
Fantaisie in G minor for its sheer exuberance and virtuosity and for expressive
and dextrous playing Telemann’s brief, unaccompanied Fantasie.
So, I would strongly advise anyone who enjoys baroque
music to search out this disc, or better still search out Steger’s other
listed recordings and if they are as good as this then there is much to
revel in.
Gary Higginson
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FREE SOUND SAMPLES
(minimum 30 secs)
A
Jacobean Masque
CDTnº2 - R. JOHNSON
A
Jacobean Masque
CDTnº3 - G. COPERARIO
A
Jacobean Masque
CDTnº4 - G. FARNABY
A
Jacobean Masque
CDTnº5 - R. CARR
An
Italian Ground
CDTnº6 - A. VIVALDI
Concerto
in F Major, RV 434
CDTnº7 - A. VIVALDI
Concerto
in F Major, RV 434
CDTnº8 - A. VIVALDI
Concerto
in F Major, RV 434
CDTnº9 - J. HILTON
Fantasie
in G Minor
CDTnº10 - G.P. TELEMANN
Sonatina
in C Minor
CDTnº11 - G.P. TELEMANN
Sonatina
in C Minor
CDTnº12 - G.P. TELEMANN
Sonatina
in C Minor
CDTnº13 - G.P. TELEMANN
Sonatina
in C Minor
CDTnº14 - M. UCCELLINI
Aria
Sopra 'La Bergamasca'
CDTnº15 - F. MANCINI
Sonata
IV in A Minor
CDTnº16 - F. MANCINI
Sonata
IV in A Minor
CDTnº17 - F. MANCINI
Sonata
IV in A Minor
CDTnº18 - F. MANCINI
Sonata
IV in A Minor
CDTnº19 - ANON
A
Division on a Ground
CDTnº20 - A. VIVALDI
Concerto
in A Minor, RV 108
CDTnº21 - A. VIVALDI
Concerto
in A Minor, RV 108
CDTnº22 - A. VIVALDI
Concerto
in A Minor, RV 108
CDTnº23 - G.P. TELEMANN
Fantasia
1 in A Major
CDTnº24 - G.P. TELEMANN
Fantasia
1 in A Major
CDTnº25 - G. A. P. MEALLI
Sonata
1 'La Bernabea'
CDTnº26 - H. PURCELL
A
New Ground
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Maurice Steger
Naoki Kitaya harpsichord/organ/Virginal 