Goldberg nr. 50 (February 2008)

5 STARS       

Les Muffatti’s first CD, devoted to Muffat’s Armonico Tributo, deservedly received a rapturous reception from William Yeoman in Goldberg 39. Its second is arguably even more significant, for not only does it confirm the Belgian ensemble as a quite exceptional body, but it also introduces us to some splendid music by a neglected composer. Munich-born Johann Christoph Pez (1664-1716) worked in his native city and Bonn before becoming Kapellmeister in Stuttgart. Like Muffat and J.C.F. Fischer, he thoroughly assimilated the French style of Lully, although unlike them he seems to have had no direct contact with France. But that is not the whole picture, since Pez was sent to study in Rome, where he came into contact with the “serious” style of Corelli. It is this fusion of styles that informs the works on the present disc, all prepared from MS sources by Peter Van Heyghen. The French influence is most clearly apparent in two multi-movement ouvertures, but is also found more improbably in the Concerto grosso in G minor. Two sonatas (in F and G) and the charming Concert Pastoral are more obviously indebted to Corelli, although the F-major work includes a remarkable improvisatory movement of Biber-like fantasy.
The playing and performances warrant only superlatives, having a rare distinction that goes beyond a natural ease, grace and buoyancy to encompass the subtlest variations of tempo, shading and phrasing, in addition to an ideal balance between parts. Splendid sound and superb presentation contribute to what is in every way an outstanding achievement.

Brian Robins