Schenck: The Nymphs of the Rhine, Vol. 1 (Sonatas for Two Violas da Gamba) / Les Voix Humaines

Editorial Reviews
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

Tracks:

Son No.1 in b: Adagio - Presto - Adagio
Son No.1 in b: Allemanda: Adagio
Son No.1 in b: Corrente
Son No.1 in b: Sarabanda - Var
Son No.1 in b: Giga: Vivace
Son No.2 in a: Allegro
Son No.2 in a: Allemanda
Son No.2 in a: Corrente
Son No.2 in a: Sarabande
Son No.2 in a: Giga
Son No.3 in D: Adagio
Son No.3 in D: Allegro - Adagio - Allegro
Son No.3 in D: Adagio - Allegro
Son No.4 in A: Ciacona
Son No.4 in A: Bouree
Son No.4 in A: Rondeau
Son No.4 in A: Menuet
Son No.5 in F: Allegro
Son No.5 in F: Adagio
Son No.5 in F: Aria Polonese: Allegro
Son No.6 in g: Adagio
Son No.6 in g: Allegro
Son No.6 in g: Adagio
Son No.6 in g: Allemanda: Largo
Son No.6 in g: Corrente
Son No.6 in g: Sarabanda: Adagio
Son No.6 in g: Giga

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

Customer Reviews:

Who is this guy?.......2002-03-14

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.......2001-06-26

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........2001-01-26

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.

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