Who Won ? Apollo Or Pan ?

This disk of early 17th century music from Italy is distinguished particularly by the unusual instrumentation. Titled The Contest of Apollo and Pan, it is an anthology of instrumental works by Dario Castello and contemporaries. The performers go under the name of Apollo and Pan for this disk, though I don't think that it is a regularly performing ensemble, rather musicians from various larger leading early music groups who get together on an occasional basis to perform in this guise. They comprise of violinists Tassilo Erhardt and Ben Sansom, Steven Devine on harpsichord and organ and the dulcian of Sally Holman. It is the dulcian, a forerunner of he bassoon, which lends particular distinction to many of the tracks with an individual burbling sound adding great character to the music, whether as lead instrument or part of the continuo. The pieces featured by Castello are some of the earliest examples of sonata form. Also represented are Merula, Marini, Bertoli, Buonamente, Frescobaldi ( solo harpsichord works played beautifully by Devine ), Rossi, De Rore and Turini. A very intelligently thought out programme showing the roots of much of the classical period but thoroughly enjoyable in its own right and far from being merely an academic exercise.