Bona Nova

We are proud to add the album ‘Exceptional Masterpieces’ by the Combattimento Consort Amsterdam to our catalog. This recording is one of the first SACD’s ever recorded, and it still is a reference when it comes to ensemble performance and sound quality. The ‘CCA’ is famous for their impassioned interpretations of baroque music. The wish of the CCA not to focus solely on the standard repertoire has resulted in many interesting programmes featuring remarkable and little-known works, some of which are only available in manuscript. This album is an immaculate example of this. The ensemble got a ‘carte blanche’ for this recording and showed up at the sessions with a Heinrich Biber piece for two viola d’amores, a concerto for violoncello piccolo by Giovanni Sammartini and a wonderful concerto from Johann Endler for 5 timpani’s! The recording was made in 2000 by Eelco Grimm. He has used Schoeps tube microphones with power supplies and microphone amplifiers from Peter van Willenswaard, who later founded Grimm Audio with him. Audiophile Audition’s verdict: “The best-planned, played and recorded program of early instrumental music I have heard in years.”

Eelco Grimm