The music of Dutch composer and virtuoso Johannes Schenck is lovingly presented on this exquisite Hungaroton disc, and
Sándor Szászvárosi, Angelika Csizmadia, and Nóra Kállai deliver these four Baroque sonatas for viola da gamba and continuo in wonderfully imaginative and lustrous interpretations. L'Écho du Danube, Op. 9 (1706), is a set of six suite-like sonatas that feature Schenck's principle instrument in all its technical and expressive glory; this opus is but one of a series of fancifully titled suites and sonatas that preoccupied their composer when he was not pursuing his operatic ambitions. Accompanied by solo harpsichord in the Sonata No. 3 in F sharp minor and the Sonata No. 4 in E flat major, and harpsichord and a second bass viol in the Sonata No. 1 in D major and the Sonata No. 2 in A minor,
Szászvárosi plays with great dexterity and tonal control, and the viola da gamba's ringing sonorities -- often a source of blurred harmonies and counterpoint in less capable hands -- are still vibrant and shimmering, but held in check for clarity's sake. Csizmadia's realization of the harpsichord part is clear and full, but not excessively florid, and Kállai's bass line is firm but not intrusive. One can only hope that this splendid CD is followed with another album of Schenck's delightful works in similarly polished presentations.