Sprightly Baroque Gems
G. Bonine-Giles | Maplewood, MN United States | 11/30/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Boyce wrote these delightful contrapuntal masterpieces that are far too short to be considered true symphonies (they max out at 9:34). The I Solsti di Zagreb, under the baton of Antonio Janigro gives them a light, bouncy treatment with quick tempi and bright phrasings. The sound is crisp, and there's a warmth spread throughout the elegence. A good overview of Boyce is given in the accompanying booklet. Overall, the CD is a wonderful "energizer", and brings a definite smile my face every time."
Playing is great, music much less so
J. C Clark | Overland Park, KS United States | 01/15/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"While I enjoy this disc, this is decidedly second-string Baroque music. There is never a feeling of a voice, the way the greats make their music theirs. You listen and think...."Well, early Telemann maybe...or Corelli?" But they do not stamp this listener as anything other than so much pleasant Baroque noise.The playing is delicate, delightful, and charming. The sound is flawless; this was recorded way back when but has been remastered beautifully. And H.C. Robbins Landon's essay is great. This guy is the authority on this music. Maybe THE authority. I certainly am not. But he likes them far more than I."