Hi-Res Downloads

96kHz/24-bit FLAC, Audax ADX13704 (supplied by www.highresaudio.com)

As the British musicologist Michael Talbot explains in a lengthy note, Corelli was as influential a figure in organising performances in 17th century Rome as he was a composer. His appointed successor was Antonio Montanari, little of whose music has survived – five of the concertos here receive premiere recordings. The Paris-based Ensemble Diderot uses period or modern copy instruments, and, as a Toblach concert hall session photograph indicates, the players stand (where practicable) to play – the now fashionable method for Baroque performers. The concertos offer an adventurous, unconventional ride, ranging from the staccato Adagio of Op.1:6 to the sudden swirls of the Op.1:1 finale. You never know where the music is going next – but as Talbot argues, its neglect is undeserving. Fascinating. CB

Sound Quality: 85%

Hi-Fi News Lab Report

Despite the slight notch in output between 22kHz-24kHz [blue trace, above] this 96kHz rendering looks to be native rather than upsampled. Note the spray of (violin) harmonics extending out to ~40kHz, albeit at very low level. PM