Search - Sieur de Sainte-Colombe, Hille Perl, Lorenz Duftschmidt :: Sainte Colombe: Retrouvé & Change - Hille Perl

A touch of class

Stephen A. Haines | Ottawa, Ontario Canada | 08/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Retrouve et Change; retrieve and modify. The title reflects Hille Perl's long-held interest in the music of the mysterious M. Sainte Colombe; retrieving his compositions from dusty archives and modifying their presentation. The modifications reflect a version of his music as might be performed in a court salon instead of in a hut at the bottom of Sainte Colombe's garden. Hille Perl is clearly a rising star in the Baroque music firmament. Ultimately, she is likely to replace the Olympian Jordi Savall as the foremost interpreter of the 17th Century viola de gamba music. Clearly, however, she is not an imitator. This CD presents Perl's own refreshing interpretations of this genre. Sainte Colombe's music is always rich with feeling [see the film for a concept of why this should be so], which Perl, Duftschmidt, Lawrence-King, and Santana deliver with style and grace. This CD exhibits finely balanced standards of performance among the players, given the original compositions were for a single instrument. This CD is a welcome addition to any Baroque collection. Perl has achieved a triumph in this initial offering. More of her work is eagerly awaited."

Marvellous performances. Fine recording.

Gary J. Wright | San Francisco, CA United States | 10/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fine disc. The viol is complemented beautifully by the plucked strings and the whole project shimmers with quality. Perl is a performer of the top rank, displaying plenty of flair without resorting to superficial, excessive gestures. Splendid stuff."

A collection of a sublime master's musically transcribed moo

Mark Norling | 01/28/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an interpretation of the highest quality that deserves any serious French Baroque enthusist's attention. Though Sainte Colombe is Savall's turf Ms. Perls' vision here produces renditions that are distinctly apart from his in almost all ways save quality and not to be seen as simply going over old and revered ground. Her work here, like Savall's, is very much first rate. To have this recording as well as her Marin Marais: Pour la Violle et le Théorbe in one's collection - alongside Jordi's similar works - provides an interesting and thoroughly satisfying set of bookends to the genre. One is a very complimentary break from the other. Our community is lucky that we have both.



I would be remiss if I did not add high praise for Mr. Lawrence-King, Mr. Duftschmid, and the most fortunate Mr. Santa."