Recordings
Passacaglia's two discs with Linn Records both received unanimous critical acclaim. And their new CD of music by Louis-Antoine Dornel has recently been released with Naxos.
Dornel La Triomphante (Naxos 8.570986)
Antoine Dornel's imaginative and dynamic compositional style was perfectly suited to the lively and ever-changing musical environment of Paris in the first decades of the eighteenth century. The few works that survive testify to a seemingly talented and inventive composer eager to try the latest musical fashions, as exemplified by many of the works on this recording. With guest musicians Dan Laurin (recorders) and Eligio Quinteiro (theorbo & guitar).
'The quality of music on this CD turns out to be extraordinarily high, in no way inferior to the chamber works of Couperin and Rameau. Characterful, expressive playing from Passacaglia certainly does the music justice. The wonderful Swedish virtuoso Dan Laurin joins the group in two works; here he plays among equals. Another Naxos bargain.'
Early Music Today
'Fine versions of all the works by Passacaglia. A disc that no baroque music enthusiast should ignore.'
Rhythm Magazine
'The players fully explore the character of these pieces with imagination and zest... very exciting.'
MusicWeb International
Antoine Dornel's imaginative and dynamic compositional style was perfectly suited to the lively and ever-changing musical environment of Paris in the first decades of the eighteenth century. The few works that survive testify to a seemingly talented and inventive composer eager to try the latest musical fashions, as exemplified by many of the works on this recording. With guest musicians Dan Laurin (recorders) and Eligio Quinteiro (theorbo & guitar).
'The quality of music on this CD turns out to be extraordinarily high, in no way inferior to the chamber works of Couperin and Rameau. Characterful, expressive playing from Passacaglia certainly does the music justice. The wonderful Swedish virtuoso Dan Laurin joins the group in two works; here he plays among equals. Another Naxos bargain.'
Early Music Today
'Fine versions of all the works by Passacaglia. A disc that no baroque music enthusiast should ignore.'
Rhythm Magazine
'The players fully explore the character of these pieces with imagination and zest... very exciting.'
MusicWeb International
Telemann Chamber Music (Linn CKD170)
'This is my disc of the month. From the opening phrase to the end of the disc I was enthralled. ... You won't hear any better playing.'
Brian Clark, Early Music Review
'Annabel Knight and Louise Bradbury phrase with such unanimity that if they exchanged parts you would never know. Their dexterity is extremely impressive. Beautifully balanced ... [a] fine new recording.'
Richard Lawrence, Early Music News
'This is my disc of the month. From the opening phrase to the end of the disc I was enthralled. ... You won't hear any better playing.'
Brian Clark, Early Music Review
'Annabel Knight and Louise Bradbury phrase with such unanimity that if they exchanged parts you would never know. Their dexterity is extremely impressive. Beautifully balanced ... [a] fine new recording.'
Richard Lawrence, Early Music News
Boismortier Suites and Sonatas (BCR bcr001)
'I fell in love with this disc at first hearing, seduced by Passacaglia's senusous mix of recorders, gamba, chamber organ and harpsichord. There are so many good things to savour.'
Andrew Stewart, Classic FM Magazine - 5/5 stars
'While the music of Frenchman Joseph Bodin de Boismortier... is littered with moments of charm and quaint magnetism, it is the exquisite playing of the early music group Passacaglia that makes this new release from Linn Records well worth the purchase.'
Kenneth Walton, The Scotsman - 4/4 stars
'The catalogue is not exactly overflowing with Boismortier recordings of this calibre, which is one more reason to welcome this splendid disc'
Brian Clark, Early Music Review
'The members of Passacaglia, in various combinations, play all with a sharp ear for balanced ensemble and for the wealth of little nuances contained within this ingenuous repertoire.'
Nicholas Anderson, BBC Music Magazine
Linn's hybrid SACD engineering contributes to the outstanding artistic success of this disc, although the major credits lie with youthful ensemble Passacaglia and, above all, Joseph Bodin de Boismortier. Admirably compiled and affectionately played.'
Andrew Stewart, Music Week
'I fell in love with this disc at first hearing, seduced by Passacaglia's senusous mix of recorders, gamba, chamber organ and harpsichord. There are so many good things to savour.'
Andrew Stewart, Classic FM Magazine - 5/5 stars
'While the music of Frenchman Joseph Bodin de Boismortier... is littered with moments of charm and quaint magnetism, it is the exquisite playing of the early music group Passacaglia that makes this new release from Linn Records well worth the purchase.'
Kenneth Walton, The Scotsman - 4/4 stars
'The catalogue is not exactly overflowing with Boismortier recordings of this calibre, which is one more reason to welcome this splendid disc'
Brian Clark, Early Music Review
'The members of Passacaglia, in various combinations, play all with a sharp ear for balanced ensemble and for the wealth of little nuances contained within this ingenuous repertoire.'
Nicholas Anderson, BBC Music Magazine
Linn's hybrid SACD engineering contributes to the outstanding artistic success of this disc, although the major credits lie with youthful ensemble Passacaglia and, above all, Joseph Bodin de Boismortier. Admirably compiled and affectionately played.'
Andrew Stewart, Music Week
If you haven't done so already, click here to launch the audio player to hear tracks from all three of these albums. It opens in a separate window that you can keep open as you browse more of the site.