Samuel Capricornus (1628-1665)Theatrum Musicum
Le Parlement de Musique
Martin Gester
Opus 111 OPS 30-99
74:18 min
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The performances do considerable justice to these remarkable pieces, for if Le Parlement de Musique are not the most polished of early music groups they bring to their work here a commitment and sense of style which far outweighs a few rough edges. The five singers include no names that are well-known, but all acquit themselves well, bass Stephan Schrekenburger being particularly impressive, and soprano Delphine Collet and mezzo Lena Susanne Norin combine tellingly in the searing, heart-melting dissonances of “O Trauigkeit.'' Opus Ill's recording is as good as the music deserves, imparting a lovely bloom to both voices and instruments. This is an important release which brings to our attention a master of seventeenth-century German Baroque whose neglect would appear to be totally unaccountable. I am now avid to hear more Capricornus, but in the meantime anyone with the remotest interest in the music of this period should snap this up without hesitation. -Fanfare