Yr a oydo - More Hispano

More Hispano is a Spanish ensemble directed by recorder player Vicente Parrilla. Their new Carpe Diem recording, Yr a oydo, is made up of a series of extended improvisations—all based on popular tunes and ground basses from the Renaissance and early baroque.

The ensemble’s excellent performance is tightly knit and brimming over with energy, from the wonderful and unpredictable instrumental improvisation to the rapturous singing by soprano Raquel Andueza. The recording is an absolute joy to listen to.

17th-Century Portuguese Polyphony - Imagem da Melancolia

The Portuguese recorder consort A Imagem da Melancolia has released a new Challenge Classics recording which draws from their native 17th-century repertory. Directed by Pedro Sousa Silva, the consort performs what is essentially sacred choral music, yet their interpretation is highly creative and evocative of the early baroque.