Search - Les Maitres De La Vielle Baroque :: The Masters of Baroque Hurdy Gurdy

Just About the Best, Only, Whatever

William B. Cornell | Dallas, TX United States | 02/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...example of hurdy gurdy used in serious music composition, in this case, from the Baroque period. I've never heard of the composers before, but no big deal. There are two 'gurdy players alongside a harpsichord and bassoon, and a viola gamba (played between knees like a cello) so it makes for small ensemble sound to highlight the gurdies well. Also, one plays melody while other utilizes the buzzing bridge or chien for rhythm effect. I've heard Mozart's father Leopold, Haydn and others composed pieces for the hurdy gurdy, but where to find them? This is as good as you'll find of a whole disc that gives the instrument the formal treatment it earned hundreds of years ago."