Editorial Reviews

Journey is a compilation of greatest hits from CDs of Les Boréades de Montréal, an early music ensemble that focuses on music of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It was probably compiled as a promotional teaser, to tantalize listeners into going out and buying the albums from which these excerpts were extracted, and if that was the intent it ought to be entirely successful. The performers play with infectious verve and with a lilt that comes close to being a swing. The pieces from the earlier to mid-Baroque, by Purcell and Cavalli, come to life with a special energy. The excerpts from Cavalli's opera "La Calisto," which include transcriptions of vocal pieces, are especially entertaining, and even without words the music conveys a sense of wild hilarity. (Cavalli must have been something like the John Waters of his day; the over-the-top librettos he chose and his zany music must certainly have pushed the standards of what was acceptable in seventeenth century Venice.) Even the "serious" pieces included, by Telemann and Clérambault, are played with beguiling panache. The sound is consistently clear and spacious. This CD should be required listening for anyone who has never been seduced by music of the Baroque era -- it should dispel any stereotypes of Baroque music as stiff and stuffy. Stephen Eddins, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

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