This fine collection of Baroque music for strings invites an observation that’s often made but rarely so aptly as here: “If you like this sort of thing, you’ll love this recording.” Beginning with Biber’s five-part G major Sonata VIII (from his collection “tam aris quam aulis servientes”)–an ideal opening selection–we hear this tightly-knit, stylistically savvy period-instrument ensemble at its best, impressive with its sharp-edged articulation, well-judged balances, and vibrant sound. The program is nicely varied, ranging from Biber’s Passacaglia for solo violin–played with luxurious phrasing and gorgeous tone by Sophie Gent–to Johann Nicolai’s rich-textured three-part gamba sonata and the abovementioned five-part Biber sonata. Compositionally speaking, there are no great masterpieces here, but the real point is that we’re offered first-rate, entertaining, Grade-A Baroque music–repertoire we don’t often hear–that’s expertly performed and recorded in an appropriately dry acoustic that maximizes the period-instrument timbres. My only complaint is that, as with many other Analekta releases, the liner booklet is needlessly difficult to read (reverse type, extremely small type-sizes, etc.). Otherwise, this is a superb production that rates a high recommendation where it counts most–music, performance, and sound.
