Search - Gabrieli, Klement Symposium Musicum :: Ricercari & Canzioni

A knockout!

Stephen Midgley | Tarbrax, West Calder, UK | 04/19/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here is a Supraphon CD, from the Symposium Musicum under Miloslav Klement, that simply cries out for reissue. This Prague-based ensemble, presenting a well-chosen programme of works by Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli, produce a beautifully judged and balanced sound on their original wind and stringed instruments. There are many fine pieces, some more familiar than others, but in my opinion the tour de force of this disc is undoubtedly their stunning performance of Andrea Gabrieli's majestic canzona "La Battaglia" for 8-part wind band.



The rather curt sleeve-note refers to this piece, which in places parodies Janequin's famous chanson "La Guerre", as "interesting", but that is quite an understatement! There have been a number of fine recordings of this brilliant piece in the past, played mainly on modern instruments by groups such as the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, Frederick Fennell's Eastman Wind Ensemble, and London Brass under Philip Pickett. But I know of only one other recording on historical instruments, which is to be found on the 2-disc set "Lo Sposalizio" by The King's Consort (since renamed Retrospect Ensemble after their conductor, Robert King, left to pursue other interests). On that set TKC give a sensitive and fine-sounding performance, but it loses momentum at times and sounds tame in comparison with the stirring and heartfelt delivery of Klement's wonderful group of players.



Altogether, an absolute knockout!

"