MAURIZIO CAZZATI: Sampler Los Mvsicos de Sv Alteza. Luis Antonio González.
This disc is a sampler that I recorded a few months ago with this ensemble. It hasn’t been released yet, but I would certainly take the copy I have to a desert island, because apart from the quality of Cazzati’s music the CD is a souvenir of a wonderful week. Recording is always hard work, but the director took us all under his wing so that all we had to do was enjoy, express, feel and live the music. It’s one of the most intense and precious musical memories I have.

HENRY PURCELL: Music for Queen Mary Monteverdi Choir-Monteverdi Orchestra. John Eliot Gardiner Erato 2292-45123-2
This recording is from 1977. I was only two years old when it first came out. One of my siblings brought it home. During my adolescence I listened to it on an almost daily basis. It holds great sentimental value for me, as it was with this disc that my passion for Purcell, and early music in general started. It’s also when my admiration for Gardiner began.

GEORG FRIEDRICH HANDEL: Messiah The English Baroque Soloists-The Monteverdi Choir. John Eliot Gardiner. Philips 434297-2
I am fascinated by the chorus in this recording, full of light, strength, dynamism and energy. Intense, serious when they have to be, and bright when needed. When I listen to it I always think that Handel must be so proud of the achievement of this team of musicians, with Gardiner at the head.

HEINRICH IGNAZ FRANZ VON BIBER: Violin Sonatas La Romanesca: Andrew Manze, Nigel North, John TollHarmonia Mundi France. HMX 2907225
The way Manze plays really excites me, such incredible finesse and brilliance, and at the same time such a rounded and warm sound. The continuo, with North and Toll isn’t far behind. They construct a perfect texture so that Manze has complete freedom of movement.