PRE-ORDER: Symphoniae [CD]

In 1647, Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria settled in Brussels, bringing his own music chapel, the Musica di Camera, distinct from the court's Royale Chapelle. Led by Kapelmeester Gioseffo Zamponi, this ensemble of German, Austrian and Italian musicians opened Brussels to the new Italian instrumental style, hosting violin virtuoso Biagio Marini and Stylus Phantasticus pioneer Johann Jacob Froberger. Local composers absorbed this influence: organist Nicolaes a Kempis published four books of Symphoniae inspired by Castello and Marini, while Philipp van Wichel's Fasciculus Dulcedinis pushed chamber music toward bolder rhythms and harmonies. Co-founded by Matthijs van der Moolen, a specialist in historical trombones and the sackbut, the Castello Consort is dedicated to performing 16th- and 17th-century music and is praised for it's singing sound and harmonious interplay. Here, it presents it's first album for Channel Classics.