The name of Biagio Marini is not so well known in musical circles but on the evidence of this trailblazing recording, he is certainly one of the finest lights in Italian Renaissance music. This 1978 recording must have stirred quite a few heads at the time as even today, the astonishing virtuosity and sense of breathtaking discovery created by the Consort of Musick are pretty disarming.
Emma Kirkby and Nigel Rogers both shine in their respective solo parts in the lovely cantata "Le lagrime d'Erminia" but the real highlight is definitely the Balletto Primo which concludes the CD, for its deft and quite magical touches throughout. The Violin Sonatas are also very much avante garde fare for the time and the Consort of Musicke demonstrate their technical ability to the fore here.
The anaologue recording which is celebrating its 30th anniversary is a miracle of clarity and with an intriguing essay by Simon Heighes, this well priced CD will surely find its way amongst collections of those who love to discover music from the heady days of the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
Copyright © 2008 by Gerald Fenech