Reviews by the editorial staff of Early Music America. Have a new recording or book? Submit it for consideration.
The Earliest Song of Solomon Settings
Ensemble Peregrina has long researched and performed music away from the Medieval and Renaissance mainstream, from the periphery in geography and attitude. Their latest recording explores the earliest known setting of the biblical Song of Songs, with exceptional musicianship and an exciting, surprising, sense of character.
Trouvère Songs of Love and Loss
Brooklyn-based Alkemie's latest recording, devoted to music from the 13th-century trouvères of Northern France, draws as much on contemporary folk and Celtic styles as Medieval historical performance practice. At turns extravagant or yearning, this is music of celebratory zeal as well as poetic musing.
Cantata Collective’s B-minor Mass
The Bay Area's Cantata Collective continue its acclaimed Bach series with his greatest large-scale work, the B-minor Mass. Beautifully paced by Nicholas McGegan, this 'live' recording features outstanding vocal and instrumental soloists. At its best, the chorus 'shines in their expressive use of color and shading,' thanks to McGegan's 'careful balancing and phrasing.'
Inside the Italians Singing in Mozart’s Vienna
Dorothea Link's book, 'The Italian Opera Singer in Mozart's Vienna' proves to be entertaining and eye-opening, providing a valuable insights into the Viennese opera milieu.
Cut Circle’s Josquin, Dramatic and Revelatory
The well-trodden ground under Josquin interpretations may be shifting thanks to Jesse Rodin and his Cut Circle ensemble. They rethink key approaches to this repertoire, from tempo and vocal timbre to the choice of acoustic -- with often startling results.
Avoiding the Trap of Musical Exoticism
Montreal's Infusion Baroque joyously blurs the lines between Western 'early music' and 'world music' in their latest album, East is East. The ensemble's core musicians, plus an array of distinguished guests, make East and West sound refreshing and new.
All About That Bass: Continuo on Top
Basso continuo usually takes an accompanying role, but Montréal's Space Time Continuo puts the bottom on top and into the fore. The ensemble adapts Italian lyricism for versatile lower-voiced instruments, depicting heaven and earth and all the emotional states in between.
From the Golden Age of Musical Arrangements
Arrangements of popular music have long been shunned in certain circles. But the author of a concise new book suggests that by ignoring arrangements, we've missed considerable cultural, artistic, and historical insights into music from the era.
When the Clarinet Got Interesting
At EMA's 2023 Emerging Artists Showcase, the brilliant duo of historical clarinetist Maryse Legault and fortepianist Gili Loftus gave a taste of their album 'Around Baermann.' The recording looks into a key era in the clarinet's history, centered on celebrated clarinetist Heinrich Joseph Baermann, who inspired music from great composers and helped push the instrument into new technical and virtuosic realms.
Shakespeare’s Music, Where the Lying is Easy
Seven Times Salt's latest recording revisits music of Shakespeare's time. Some of the tunes are linked to specific plays -- 'Hamlet' is a particular fascination -- while others are suggestive of a theme or a familiar plotline, from 'Romeo and Juliet' to 'The Merchant of Venice.' All of it is beautifully delivered, often in charming arrangements. And the sonic engineering makes for a vivid listening experience.
