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PROJECT DESCRIPTION

After the success of our Boismortier Op. 63 recording, funded by Angel Early Music and Crowd Funding, Michael Elphinstone, one of the world authorities on Boismortier, has requested that we record Op 61. This work comprises of 6 sonatas and only the second one has been recorded to date. Boismortier’s Op. 61 is for solo pardessus de viole, with continuo and for this project we have asked Nathaniel Mander to join us. Peter and I will share the solo and continuo lines, playing pardessus de viole and bass viol.

Like Boismortier’s Op. 63, the music of Op. 61 is incredibly expressive and evocative yet has contrasting movements that brim with humour and character! The Sonatas are in four movements, some of which are based on dances such as the menuet, gavotte, or gigue, while other movements are indicated with a single word to describe the character of the movement, for example, gracieusement, gaiment or légérment.

However, so much of the interpretation of French Baroque music especially, is down to what is not written on the page and this is where Peter Wendland and Jacqui Robertson-Wade have a rare magic in French Baroque interpretation that emerges when they play together. The partial reviews below from Boismortier Op. 63 elude to this.

Michael Elphinstone
And thirdly, the quality of the performances. Dialogue Viols interpret the Boismortier sonatas with great sensitivity, and stylistic accuracy. The tempi are well chosen, the notes inégales are not exaggerated, the tasteful ornamentation in the repeats (most of the movements are either in binary or rondeau form) seems spontaneous and not pre-planned, and the chordal accompaniment in either part (when present) never obscures the melody line. Wonderful playing.

Viola da Gamba Society of UK
‘Like all such music, it requires a high degree of musicianship to engage the listener as well as the player, and this it certainly receives in full measure from these two players: cleanly articulated playing, beautifully shaped phrasing, and well-judged, unfussy ornamentation.

Viola da Gamba Society of Germany
The two artists demonstrate a deep understanding of the style and expression of the Baroque period and deliver a performance that is both historically authentic and lively.

AUSTA National Journal (Australia)
Peter Wendland and Jacqui Robertson-Wade are two of its leading exponents in the UK, and their rendition of these sonatas, plus the two works by Marais and Couperin which complete the CD, are excellent… For anyone interested in French 18th century music, or the pardessus, this is a fantastic recording that deserves to be heard.’

MusicWeb International RECOMMENDED
This recording is the best-possible case for an instrument that many music lovers may not have heard before. The interpretation is simply superb, both technically and in the exploration of the qualities of music and instruments. They also show a fine sense of rhythm, which is very important in these works.’ lease refer to th