VOCES8 and Les Inventions shine a light on a hidden musical treasure in these world-premiere recordings of Charles Avison’s 1757 adaptation of Benedetto Marcello’s Estro-poetico armonico. A fresh and original collection, Marcello’s Psalm settings were composed in Venice and quickly found fame across Europe after their publication between 1724 and 1726.
★★★★★ The results are wholly delightful and absorbing, and the intimate forces of VOCES8 and Les Inventions are completely at home in this repertoire – Choir & Organ
★★★★ With their vivid word-setting and lively declamation, the English texts give a slightly homespun quality to the enterprise. Well sung, there’s a striking triple canon with Latin text to finish – The Observer
★★★★ Marcello’s masterpiece receives…world premiere recording here by VOCES8, accompanied by the organ, recorder and strings of French early-music ensemble Les Inventions – The Independent
Very polished – BBC Radio 3 CD Review
A nice variety of vocal colours and a lovely blend make for a convincing representation of Marcello’s largely unknown masterpiece Estro poetico-armonico. More please – Early Music Review
