Search - Claudio Monteverdi, Girolamo della Casa, Diego Ortiz :: Doulce Memoire

Voices of love

Stephen A. Haines | Ottawa, Ontario Canada | 12/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you love someone, buy them this. If you want someone to love you, buy them this. If you've hurt someone, buy them this - there can be no finer act of atonement. There is much love in this CD - every note is an expression of Hille Perl's devotion to her instrument. In this outstanding collection of 16th and 17th Century music she imparts her ability for improvisation with exquisite skill. The group, comprised of five viola de gambas, harp and lute, gives each instrument space for a resonant expression of mood. Each piece is at once sombre yet evocative of "joyful memories". A charming and evocative collection, one which deserves attention from aficianados of Renaissance music.These instrumental pieces hark back to a time when the madrigal was an unaffected love song, derived from pastoral traditions, instead of the more forceful choral delivery it later became. The group doesn't attempt to duplicate the voice with the da gambas. Instead, Perl and her colleagues present the music in fully instrumental mode. This is entirely appropriate for the instrument most often cited as coming closest to the human range of tones. The viola da gambas are given free rein to declare their endorsement of that view. With composers from Italy and Spain dominating the repetoire, this CD is a testimony to the innovations developed by Renaissance musical virtuosos. It is an even finer testimony to the skill Hille Perl and her colleagues exhibit in giving us their music.BMG's production of this collection is worthy of the quality of the performance. The set is presented with full clarity. There are no background overtones or loss of sound. Perl's own notes for the selections are highly personalised, even flippant in some cases. Yet the comments fittingly capture the mood of each piece. The general description she provides in conclusion explains how apt their choices were in making the collection. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]"

Beautiful and moving

Irene | 08/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have many Viola da Gamba CDs, but I have to say that this has become my favorite. No other player approaches the emotional intensity of Hille Perl in her expressiveness and lyricism, even moving to tears. Her playing truly brings you to another place. Her passion for her instrument and music touches every selection in this CD. Do your heart a favor, and get this CD. I can't recommend it enough."

Great but not the only choice

Steve Sturgill | Dallas,TX USA | 06/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a truly rewarding wonderful disc. It offers some of the best current playing and interpretation of baroque/renaissance music in the world. I love Hille Perl. Her playing has all the hallmarks of genius; timing, phrasing, delivery, emotional impact and subtlety and dynamics. No weaknesses. She is the consumate master of the Gamba as are her peers masters of their respective instruments as well. I won't go into much more detail but if you think all "classical" sounds dull or cheesily "Romantic", think again. There's meat on these bones enough to feast for days, weeks, years even. So sit back and relax! By the way another phenom in the Gamba world is the incredible Ralph Rousseau Meulenbroeks who is a rising star in all of Europe and Japan. Sadly his albums of which some are hybrid SACD format are rarely available here in the USA. This is an outrage as Ralph may be the greatest living Gambist in training. His sound is so intimate and ever changing, what tone! Anyways until Amazon wises up and starts to offer his cds you will be doing just fine with Perl!"