Music expert Kees Koudstaal presents the finest and latest CDs of early and classical music. Today he highlights the new albums by Le Concert Spirituel, Ensemble Hemiolia, Alamire & Fretwork, and organist Léon Berben.
1. Marin Marais (1656-1728)
– Second act from the opera “Ariane et Bacchus”
Performed by: Various soloists, including Judith van Wanroij on soprano, with Le Concert Spirituel conducted by Hervé Niquet
(from the 2-CD set “Ariane et Bacchus – Marin Marais,” Alpha 926, 2023)
2. Jacques-Philippe Lamoninary (1707-1802)
– Trio Sonata Opus 1, Number 5
Performed by: Ensemble Hemiolia – Emmanuel Resche-Caserta and Patrizio Germone on violins, Claire Lamquet-Comtet on cello, and Takahisa Aida on organ/harpsichord
(from the CD “Lamoninary – 6 Trio Sonatas Opus 1,” Passacaille PAS 1136, 2023)
3. William Byrd (ca. 1543-1623)
– From the collection ‘Songs of Sundry Natures’ (1589): ‘From Virgin’s womb’
Performed by: Martha McLorinan, mezzo-soprano, with the ensembles Alamire and Fretwork conducted by David Skinner
(from the 2-CD set “BYRD 1589 – Songs of sundry natures,” Inventa INV1011, 2023)
4. Anthoni van Noordt (ca. 1619-1675)
– Fantasia 3
Performed by: Léon Berben on the Hagerbeer organ in the Pieterskerk in Leiden
(from the CD “Tabalatuurboeck van Psalmen en Fantasyen,” Ramée RAM 2201, 2023)
