Palladian Ensemble - Held By The Ears

The name of Italian/English composer Nicola Matteis (d. 1714) may not ring any bells with most listeners, but once heard his music–primarily suites or "setts" of instrumental "ayres"–makes a memorable mark if only for its catchy melodies and rhythms, its often unusual turns of harmony, and for its occasional virtuosic technical flights. Its impact is especially vivid in these crisply articulated renditions by the instrumental quartet known as the Palladian Ensemble–presented in sound so realistic and vibrant that you almost feel the physical presence of the performers. If you enjoy the sound of recorders, violin, bass viol, and plucked strings such as guitar, theorbo, and lute, you'll be perfectly happy listening to these collections of dance-like tunes and light-spirited songs.
To fill out the program, the ensemble intersperses Matteis' works with "music that seems in some indefinable way to be related: the Scottish folktunes of his time." In their own arrangements, the Palladians offer lute songs (from the Straloch and Rowallan lute books) and various airs, including the lovely "Dumbarton's Drums" and the lively "Bonny Christie". Recorder player Pamela Thorby is particularly notable for her brilliant melodic realizations and imaginative ornamentation–and for her nearly impossible technical feats: listen to the dizzying "Aria Burlesca con molto bizzarie" and you'll see what I mean. Her partners are equally adept and together they deliver performances that show the freedom and spontaneity that only comes from intimate knowledge of the music and long experience with your colleagues. There's nothing earth-shaking here–but there's enough toe-tapping, spirit-uplifting music to warrant a warm recommendation for listeners who either like their baroque music on the light side or their folk music treated with respectful, artful imagination.

Program:
01 - Sett of Ayres - Preludio
02 - Sett of Ayres - The lass of Peatie's Mill
03 - Sett of Ayres - Aria presto
04 - Sett of Ayres - Sarabande
05 - Sett of Ayres - Giga Al Genio Turchescho
06 - Sett of Ayres - Aria Burlesca con molto bizzarie
07 - Scots tunes for the lute - Canaries
08 - Scots tunes for the lute - A Scots Tune
09 - Scots tunes for the lute - Gallus Tom, Whip My Toudie, Hench Me Mallie Gray
10 - Scots tunes for the lute - Gypsies Lilt
11 - Scots Airs - Dumbarton's Drums
12 - Scots Airs - Bonny Christie
13 - Scots Airs - When She Came Ben She Bobed
14 - Scots Airs - Gilliam Callum
15 - Sett of Ayres in D - Preludietto-brisk
16 - Sett of Ayres in D - Fuga-presstissimo
17 - Sett of Ayres in D - Arioso
18 - Sett of Ayres in D - Adagio
19 - Sett of Ayres in D - Jigg-prestissimo
20 - Divisions on a Ground in G
21 - Sett of Ayres in D Minor - Preludio-adagio
22 - Sett of Ayres in D Minor - Prestissimo
23 - Sett of Ayres in D Minor - (Andante)-prestissimo-adagio
24 - Sett of Ayres in D Minor - Aria con divisione
25 - Roger of Coverly Divisions in D Minor
26 - Sett of Ayres in G - Preludio
27 - Sett of Ayres in G - Ostinatione
28 - Sett of Ayres in G - Sarabande
29 - Sett of Ayres in G - Area burlesca
30 - Sett of Ayres for the Guitar - Preludio
31 - Sett of Ayres for the Guitar - Aria
32 - Sett of Ayres for the Guitar - Aria
33 - Sett of Ayres for the Guitar - Aria
34 - Sett of Ayres for the Guitar - Adagio
35 - Aria ad imitatione della Trombetta
36 - A New Tune