[.ca] Nymphs of the Rhine Vol. 1

From Amazon.com:
Baroque fans, take note: You'll want this CD. Dutch composer Johannes Schenck is about as obscure a figure as you could ask for, a virtuoso of the viola da gamba who served as a Dusseldorf court musician and composer and died sometime after 1712. But his 12 sonatas for two solo gambas, titled The Nymphs of the Rhine, are simply magnificent. And this disc, for now, is the only way to hear this chamber music on CD (a second volume from Naxos contains the latter six sonatas). Susie Napper and Margaret Little, members of the Baroque ensemble Les Voix Humaines, deliver stirring performances that emphasize the gorgeous lyricism found in these compositions. These dance suites are full of long singing lines for the two solo instruments, and you'll probably hear hints of Marin Marais and Arcangelo Corelli in their interplay. Schenck's works aren't as powerful as either of those two greats (there's a reason most of us haven't heard of him, right?), but they do boast some dramatic counterpoint and a melodic beauty that's charming, to say the least. The concept of music for two viola da gambas may sound strange, but these works are warm and inviting. Words simply can't do justice to the great playing and lovely music heard on this bargain-priced disc. Just get it; you won't be sorry. --Jason Verlinde

Amazon.ca:
Le Nymphe di Rheno permet de mesurer le travail de Margaret Little et de Susie Napper, deux musiciennes montréalaises qui donnent vie à de magnifiques oeuvres pour deux violes de gambe. Un type de formation rarissime qui traduit pourtant parfaitement l'essence de la musique baroque. Ici, Les Voix Humaines se consacrent à la musique de Johannes Schenck, compositeur hollandais né à Amsterdam. Virtuose de la viole de gambe, il a laissé une oeuvre constituée de plusieurs sonates qui épousent tantôt le style français de la suite de danse, tantôt celui de la sonata da chiesa (sonate d'église). Vraisemblablement composées entre 1697 et 1706, "Le Nymphe di Rheno" (Les Nymphes du Rhin pour deux violes de gambe seules) sont interprétées de façon magistrale par les deux musiciennes, qui font preuve d'une compréhension intime du langage expressif de Schenck. --Dominique Olivier

Who is this guy?:
I happened on this recording by accident. Naxos and Arte Nova have a good collection of Dresen pre-classical school. You know, Ditterstorf and so on. I thought this another listenable, bland imitation of early Mozart. But.... You are in a dark room listening to your own mind. Deep and contemplative and removed from time and place. A few years ago, Jordi Savall championed Marin Marais who wrote for one of the Louis's with similar solo musings. This music, however, is not written for a King, but for us. Try it, it's cheap but I cannot see anyone who likes any kind of music not thinking and feeling otherwise afterwords and wanting to listen again, and again.

Surprisingly Good:
Johannes Schenck is far from being a household name for us 21st century baroque fans, so kudos to Naxos for taking a chance on his "Nymphs of the Rhine" sonatas for viola da gamba. I admit that I would never have thought of buying this recording if I hadn't found it while browsing Amazon, read the encouraging earlier review and listened to the extracts. The disc features the first six performed by the duo Les Voix Humaines, and a fine job they do! Pleasing counterpoint and impressive virtuosity by the musicians. If you like this sort of music, Schenck is well worth a try and I'm looking forward to the next set.

Rare and expressive music.:
I never thought these pieces would get a "complete" recording, but leave it to Naxos to take a chance on music that is rarely heard or performed. The collection "Le Nymphe di Rheno" is a collection of twelve sonatas (really, they are more like suites) for two viols da gamba. Johannes Schenck was a virtuoso gambist and all of his published works are for this instrument. If you think that listening for two bass intruments play for over an hour would be monotonous, the deeply expressive playing of Les Vois Humaines will quell your fears -- and soothe your ears. Their playing is warm and lyrical, and reveals the emotional character of this repertoire. No steady tempos here, but the performances are beautifully suited to the music. The first six sonatas are contained on this CD, and Naxos is releasing the second disc of the set in March, 2001.

• Sonata No.1 in B minor
• Sonata No.2 in A minor
• Sonata No.3 in D major
• Sonata No.4 in A major
• Sonata No.5 in F major
• Sonata No.6 in G minor