Ostinato [Import]

I've been a fan of Jordi Savall and Hesperion XXI for a while. However it must be said that occasionally albums of the 'early music' era can be somewhat austere and dry, simply because the compositions may tend that way. This is not one of those recordings. This is fresh, lively, and exquisite music making, absolutely beautifully recorded by masterful musicians.

There is space and air in the sound, a nicely varied palette of different instruments, and the ensembles are small and very well placed to hear each instrument. A lute is a very soft-voiced instrument and typically recorded so that it gets lost competing with a viola da gamba and a harpsichord, but the balance here is exceptional. For instance, on 'Greensleeves to a Ground', the two lutes of high and middle registers are clearly placed either side of the gamba with the harpsichord discreetly chiming in when called upon in the background. You can hear every note. Tracks with more bowed strings are likewise beautifully enunciated.

Numbers like the Canarios are sometimes familiar yet fresh. And we've all heard the Kanon & Gigue umpteen times and probably have our notions of what it ought to go like and tempos etc. Well there's certainly no harm in a quick tempoed toss-off as lithely and freshly played as this one. Might even make you forget that plodding interminable version played by an out of tune string quartet at that last wedding you went to.

Much of this is sparkling brisk dance music, yet the graceful introspection of the Marini Passacaglio and the other few mild-tempo numbers are well posed and give the tapping toes a not unwelcome rest.

But this is mostly a vivacious collection that can take you back in time to when the original music makers were not only alive and talented, they were young.

This cd is no exception. After hearing track 10, Canarios, on public radio i immediately purchased the album. To my surprise each and ever cut is a jewel. Buy it ...let it take you to faraway sundrenched places filled with exotic perfume, spices, and the most beautiful sounds which will guarantee a spark of joy.... an artistic and gorgeous album!

Great recording and music of this period. Listening to it reminds one of the dance scene in Zeffirelli's 1968 movie Romeo and Juliette. Bring a mask!