EMA CD & Book Reviews

Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, painstaking work of two college professors, and radiant sound of Cappella Romana, it is possible to imagine what a medieval Byzantine service might have sounded like.

In each gesture, violinist Zachary Carrettín and pianist Mina Gajić share the same sense of propulsion, giving their playing a lean power and an extra glimmer of energy.

The Boston-based ensembles La Donna Musicale and Rumbarroco, both led by violist Laury Gutiérrez, are featured on their first recording together, 'Latinas in Fusion.'

David J. Smith's 'Aspects of Early English Keyboard Music before c.1630' contains 11 studies ranging widely in structure and focus, reflecting their diverse origins as papers first delivered at various conferences between 2004 and 2008.

Stephen Rose challenges contemporary critical views that de-emphasize the role of the composer by showing that performers and composers were understood as occupying two separate spheres, blurring the line of authorial primacy.

While much of the music for the pardessus remains unrecorded, a CD by Mélisande Corriveau, a Montreal-based gamba player and member of Les Voix Humaines, brings it to life with harpsichordist Eric Milnes.

As one of the most influential, technically precise, and emotionally expressive performers in the lute world, Paul O'Dette is a fine candidate to be De Rippe’s modern-day counterpart.

Johnny Gandelsman takes these secularly composed, now sacredly received works higher in pitch while keeping the music refreshingly down to Earth.

We learn not only about Alfred Deller’s remarkable career in Christine Headley’s wonderful book, 'Sound the Trumpet,' but also about the Stour Music Festival, with which he was so closely associated.

Violinist Edson Scheid’s liner notes and performances point to obvious excitement at employing a period instrument and historical practices for this music.