Carissimi: Complete Motets Of Arion – Ensemble Seicentonovecento / Colusso

Choir & Organ (Mar, 2015)
Carissimi’s collection of 28 extra-liturgical Arion Romanus motets may not all be his own work but it’s hard to tell the cuckoos from the genuine chicks here in Ensemble Seicentonovecento’s three-disc compilation. They’ve made Carissimi a particular mission, and it has taken a decade and sessions in three Roman churches to complete the project. The results are often very fine but, inevitably, interest waxes and wanes in the less polished performances. Disc 2 is particularly engaging and well recorded. ranging from one to five voices with various small instrumental ensembles, there is plenty of charm, expression and virtuosity. Maybe selecting the best for a single CD would have greater artistic impact, …