Northern Italy in the 1620s and ’30s was a hotbed for small ensemble writing. This collection presents a look into that period in music history, in superior performances from The Purcell Quartet, joined by His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts and keyboardist Robert Woolley. A handful of the compositions receive very simple treatment, and although there’s still plenty here to keep the ear interested, more stylish performances of some of these same works can be found on Opus 111 with Fabio Biondi and Europa Galante. From the outset, Carlo Farina’s fascinating Capriccio Stravagante sets the tone. Rich string textures abound, with full-bodied drones from below and violin lines on top that use all the tricks of the trade in period bowing technique. There are many moods in this program, which really is a string of character sections, and The Purcell Quartet players shift gears effortlessly, clearly marking all boundaries. Dario Castella’s Sonata Decima presents other challenges, including some daring closing bars, all of which the group handles with complete technical assurance. When His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts join them in a Canzon by Giovanni Picchi, the results are equally enjoyable. No squawking or tin-can-sounding brass here.
Keeping the pace varied, solo keyboard works are interspersed among the ensemble pieces. Moving from the solo organ of Rossi’s two Toccatas to the harpsichord of Frescobaldi’s rollicking Battaglia Capriccio, Woolley always has just the right mixture of sobriety and playfulness. Actually, the second of the two Rossi works (the last track), with its eyebrow-raising chromatic scales, is one of the most interesting things on the disc. Wolley has got good taste in registration and choice of instrument as well, especially in the continuo for the ensemble pieces. While the overall programming may not be as stimulating as the Opus 111 disc, the performances on the Purcell Quartet recording generally are much better, captured in the usual clear warm sound of most of Chandos’ Early Music line.
