About this Artist

• Biography

Editorial Reviews

It almost all depends on how much one likes listening to the recorder. A later incarnation of the pan pipes and an earlier incarnation of the flute, the recorder has all the technical possibilities the pan pipes lack and all the organic warmth the flute lacks. But that still does not mean that the recorder is a particularly interesting instrument. It is range is small, its tone is tiny, and its expressive range is limited to lighthearted chirping and dolorous warblings. While in small doses, the recorder is a dulcet and delightful instrument; over a whole disc, though, the recorder becomes annoying at best and infuriating at worst.

Fortunately, London Baroque has successfully solved the problem of the all-recorder all-the-time disc by having recorder virtuoso Dan Laurin play on only five of the eight works on Stravaganze Napoletane. Thus Laurin, a superb player who can do more with a recorder than one would have thought possible, never gets on one's nerves because his brilliant and beautiful performances are interlarded with equally brilliant and beautiful performances by the rest of the equally superb London Baroque. In this way, this disc avoids recorder fatigue and thereby never fails to charm. Bis' sound is clear, close, and warm. James Leonard, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

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