Firebird Ensemble Plot in Fiction Italian Music For Ensemble (2002)

This recording represents a wide and diverse repertoire. The virtuosic singing of this male quartet will just blow you away. The vocal style has that distinctly renaissance sound to it, yet put with this modern repertoire the juxtaposition is just wonderful. As previous reviewers have mentioned there are very good liner notes, and much of the material has been written specifically for this ensemble and can be found nowhere else.

Having established a fine reputation as an instrumental ensemble with critically acclaimed recordings of music by Zelenka and Fasch, this is the first foray into vocal music for Ensemble Marsyas. Peter Whelan, directing from the harpsichord, makes his conducting debut.

Following their debut album, Belle Epoque, the Orsino Ensemble turns its attention to music from Bohemia. There is a strong tradition of Czech wind playing, and hence a wealth of great repertoire on which to draw. Antoine Reicha was a contemporary (and friend) of Beethoven. His E flat Quintet, published in 1817, demonstrates his harmonic ingenuity and talent for idiomatic instrumental writing.