This 2006 release is a fascinating collection of Italian early Baroque vocal works and instrumentals from the excellent Netherlands Bach Society and was recently chosen as a Radio 3 CD Review Building A Library top choice. The majority of the pieces fall into the category of the 'dialogue', which may best be thought of as a mini-oratorio, and their dramatic nature is ably demonstrated right from the opening work, Monteverdi’s Lamento della Ninfa. Shortly after the piece begins there is a wonderful piece of word painting on 'scorgeasi il suo dolor' ('Grief could be seen') where the male choir sings in striking discords, and later, in what may be thought of as a precursor to Purcell’s Dido’s Lament, the nymph’s voice soars in mourning over a simple repeating bass line in often-clashing, impassioned phrases. This innovative approach to harmony is shared by the rest of the pieces on this disc, serving to remind that they emerged from a truly revolutionary time in music where many of the conventions we now take for granted were being forged anew. Indeed they seem to breathe of the same air as did certain elements of the contemporaneous 'Mannerist' school in art where El Greco and others were consciously distorting colour and proportion for dramatic and emotional effect. Included is Carissimi’s masterful Historia di Jephte (which served as a model for Handel, no less!), but perhaps the finest work is Della Ciaia’s Lamentatio Virginis in depositione Filii de cruce. A nobleman who composed as an amateur, there is decidedly nothing slipshod about his wonderful, startling piece. Of particular note is the ending; when Mary invites the listener to join in lamentation there is a delicious harmonic turn which sounds as if it belongs in late-19th century Vienna rather than mid-17th century Sienna!

Reviewed by James Booth