Artist: Combattimento Consort Amsterdam, Jan Willem de Vriend Founded in 1982 by violinist Jan Willem de Vriend, the Combattimento Consort Amsterdam has developed into a close-knit ensemble specialising in music from 1600- 1800. The musicians on the standard repertoire, has resulted in many interesting programmes featuring remarkable and little-known works, some of which are only available in manuscript. The performance of these compositions in conjunction with more familiar works, has proved to be refreshing and inspiring to listeners and performers alike. Nearly all the pieces on this CD have an extramusical programme. In other words, in each piece a story is told or a situation described. Whether humorous or serious, the programme always tells us something about the culture in which the music functioned. The use of programmes in musical compositions was widely loved all over Europe in the seventeenth century. Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber (1644-1704) was a True master in this respect. The works presented on this CD were performed in intimate settings during evening concerts or were intended to mark the arrival of important guests. Of particular interest is that Biber composed only one violin part, but wrote two or three viola parts. Consequently, the ensemble as a whole has a somewhat dark sound, allowing the violin to soar like a lark.