Search - Silvius Leopold Weiss :: Weiss: Sonatas for Lute, Volume 4

Another Triumph

lutefan | Seattle, USA | 12/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Robert Barto is doing every lute fan out there a great service by recording these works, and this, the fourth volume in the series, is another smashing success. He again chooses a nice selection of pieces that vary in key, mood and difficulty, and the overall effect is wonderful. The contrast between the intense, melancholic f-minor sonata and the other, "sunnier" works in A-major and C-major is quite striking. Barto again establishes himself as perhaps the leading interpreter of Weiss; as for Weiss, he can't seem to write a bad note!"

Shining Late-Baroque Light

W. Crone | Northern CA USA | 05/11/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Weiss was a contemporary of Bach and it's been said they knew one another and, perhaps, even made music together at one time or another. The music on this disc is quite good and satisfies my craving for thoughtful music. I sometimes feel that music composed during the late Baroque period proper (right up until 1750, typically) is just too light and transparent. This cd dispels my own notions and for that I am grateful. One look at the price on this disc should further remove all doubts about a purchase. If you like music from the Baroque and/or fretted string instruments then get it now. A wonderful 6-dollar investment."

Mesmerizing!

lutefan | 01/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The four albums (actually five if one includes the Hagen album) of Barto playing lute music by Weiss are truly mesmerizing. They cover the range of the Weiss's intricate compositions. I truly hope that the Naxos label keep bringing out additional recordings by this outstanding artist. The recording is warm and immediate. Highly recommended!"