> Striggio: Mass in 40 Parts. I Fagiolini (conductor Robert Hollingsworth.) Decca CD and DVD.
There are nine world premiere recordings, including the long-lost 40-part mass Missa Ecco si beato giorno by Alessandro Striggio (1536-1592) and eight other works by him, some calling for the same spectacular complexity of forces. Works by Galilei and Thomas Tallis are also included.
Recorded well in a London church with the help of Renaissance instruments (viols, recorders, sackbuts, lute, etc), The Times observed this is enough to test anybody's hi-fi equipment. The added DVD provides an interesting documentary on the making of this lavish surprise of Striggio's music, as well as 5.1 surround audio tracks.
Highlight: five choirs, in eight parts each, provide an extraordinary wall of sound.
> Chopin, Saint-Saens: Cello Sonatas. Jamie Walton (cello), Daniel Grimwood (piano). Signum CD.
Walton is a clean player who uses little vibrato but sounds splendid in this sort of romantic music, especially in the low register. Purity of tone is obviously his trademark.
Grimwood's role on the keyboard is by no means subordinate; the pair make an excellent and elegant impression, although possibly hampered by the recording, which makes the instruments sound slightly distant.
Highlight: Romanza movement by Saint-Saens, 9 minutes of theme and variations.
