Ton Koopman and Al Ayre Espanol a 10 out of 10 in Luister magazine!

In the issue of April / May the Dutch magazine Luister gave Ton Koopman, and his cd of Buxtehude - Opera Omnia XIII, 10 (out of 10) points for performance and registration.

Luister is very enthusiastic about this CD:
"Koopman seduces listeners into active complicity. Good work! "

Luister also gave the full points to the album "Esta Dulzura Amable", performed by Al Ayre Español. The ensemble revived the old church music of José de Nebra and that is not without merit:
"Banzo should get a statue for his nose for excellent music and his undoubtedly great contribution to the accurate and swinging performance of the musicians."

About the CD of Ton Koopman:
Every single sonata presents different solutions in regard to section sequences; no two pieces show the same pattern. In general, the fast sections prefer more or less elaborate polyphonic and fugal designs whereas the slow sections emphasize harmonic and expressive features. Sections are sometimes connected without interruption, sometimes separated by fermatas or double bars.  Towards the end of some phrases the violin makes use of double stops, in line with the overall virtuosic design of the sonatas. The compositional ideas pursued by the composer are based on the concept of the so-called “stylus fantasticus,” a manner favored in keyboard and soloist instrumental ensemble music of the late 17th-century in North Germany. According to the 18th-century Hamburg writer Johann Mattheson, “this style is the most free and unrestrained manner of composing, singing, and playing that one can imagine, for one hits first on this idea and then upon that one, since one is bound neither to words nor to melody, only to harmony, so that the singer and player can display his skill.”

About the CD of Al Ayre Español :
Our Nebra was, this explains everything, a prestigious composer. His persona stands out amongst an ancient dynasty of musicians: the Nebras, who worked primarily in the province of Zaragoza. But José (Calatayud 6-1-1702, Madrid 11-7-1768) reached even more fame and prestige. His music could be described as Italianised with a Spanish air, arises at a time when the Italian style conquered the European courts; a process that began around 1700 that would mark the future of western music. As far as Spain is concerned, the Italian fashion found its primary and most exalted ambassador in the very same Queen consort Elizabeth Farnese, second wife of Philip V. Throughout his reign, music was dominated by Italian masters: the most relevant being Domenico Scarlatti who arrived in Spain in 1729."