Corrette CD

Among Michel Corrette’s best-known works is Le phénix, a brief concerto as catchy as a pop song, which has earned a spot in the slim repertoire of modern cello and bassoon quartets. Restored to period instrument form by Cristiano Contadin and the Opera Prima Ensemble, it closes this new album as an encore to Corrette’s set of six sonatas, op. 20, Les délices de la solitude. Contadin leads from the viola da gamba, joined by Baroque cello, bassoon, harpsichord, and organ. He plays the concerto’s Allegro at a brisk swing that exemplifies the character of the whole album: spirited, elegant, and warm… The six sonatas are surprisingly varied—and their differences are enhanced by Opera Prima’s colorful realizations. Contadin features on viola da gamba throughout, accompanied by smartly-chosen subsets of the ensemble for each sonata….

Fanfare Magazine 2017 /  Benjamin Pesetsky