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Editorial Reviews

Bis' Early Italian Chamber Music is a collection of early chamber sonatas for recorder and continuo played by Dan Laurin accompanied by Masaaki Suzuki. It consists of 14 pieces, mostly single-movement sonatas, canzone, a couple of works referred to as "Sinfonias," and one Ricercar dating from 1585 that at least predate and in some cases prefigure the multi-movement sonata form associated with the Baroque. The most "modern" piece here, the "Sonata La Bernabea" of Giovanni Antonio Pandolfi Mealli, dates from 1660.

The playing is very good -- Laurin is certainly facile on the recorder and Suzuki provides a low-key accompaniment on harpsichord and organ that is tasteful and does not dominate. However, the recorder has a tendency to be a very bright instrument, and here Bis seems to have picked Laurin's playing up in a way that makes it rather shrill sounding for much of the disc. This does not hold true for every selection, as in the Giovanni Paolo Cima "Sonata Seconda" the recorder sounds fine and does not distort or prove piercing in tone. Why Bis, whose recordings are generally among the best being made these days, was unable to maintain a consistent, and comfortable, volume level for the recorder here is an absolute mystery.

It is very nice to have these sonatas recorded, and Early Italian Chamber Music does provide some insight into the chamber music of the early Baroque. Nevertheless, be prepared to jockey the treble knob on your amplifier or the higher sliders on your EQ, as the recording overall is a little too bright. Uncle Dave Lewis, All Music Guide

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