Scherzi Musicali

 
The BORROMINI ENSEMBLE
 

OXCD-91

Alan Davies (Recorder), Sarah Westwood (Soprano)
Jean Gubbins (Violoncello), Richard Silk (Harpsichord)

(Recorder)
1. Sonata in D minor – Cima
2. Canzona in F major – Riccio
(Soprano and Ensemble)
3. Scherzi Musicali – Monteverdi
(Recorder and Harpsichord)
4. Canzona V, Toccata IX, Canzona II – Frescobaldi
(Ensemble)
5. Cantata "Clori mia, Clori bella" – Scarlatti
(Recorder)
6. Sonata in D minor – Marcello
(Harpsichord)
7. Suite in G minor – Pasquini
(Ensemble)
8. Cantata "All' ombra di sospetto" – Vivaldi

 
Recorded in June 2001 in St James' Church, Cardington, Salop.
Produced by Robin Barry.
     

Birmingham Post (May 2002)
Performances from the group bring scholarship without aridness, authentic style without preciosity. The performers' joyous delight in recreating the many-sided emotions....is winningly captured on this generous new CD. ****


BBC Music (2002)
Their programme is an imaginative mix of solo and ensemble pieces, some not recorded elsewhere, and all relatively little known. Alan Davies plays recorder music by Cima and Riccio with fluent ease, and a Marcello sonata with tasteful decorations. The ensemble is best in two cantatas, by Scarlatti and Vivaldi, in which Sarah Westwood sings with real charm, if her lovely tone is as the expense of clear words. Her first group of songs consists of all the solo items from Moneverdi's 1632 Scherzi Musicali, not otherwise currently available as a set on CD. ***

The Recorder Magazine (August 2002)
This is a beautifully presented disc full of varied delights, with the two baroque cantatas being the gems: both new to me and stylishly performed.

   
Acceptance Mark
ONLY 12.95