Bach/De Visée: Suites for Theorbo

This is another absolutely cracking double CD of re-issues from Virgin. The theorbo, in case you're not sure, is a sort of big brother to the lute, with a set of long, unfretted bass strings in addition to the fretted courses. This gives the instrument a wonderful, rich mellow sound which is beautifully evoked and captured in these recordings (from 1992 and 1999). Montailhet is an excellent theorbist and the music, too, is a delight.Disc 1 consists of Montailhet's own transcriptions of the first three of Bach's Cello Suites. If you already have Nigel North's outstanding lute transcriptions ( Bach on the Lute ), don't worry - these are a marked and fascinating contrast. Montailhet plays them in the more improvisatory style of the lutenists of the early 17th Century and it's a bit of a surprise if you're very familiar with the Cello Suites. Certainly he takes some rather large rhythmic liberties and I found myself thinking in the last movement of the first Suite that anyone trying to dance a gigue to this would have a pretty thin time, but I found it very interesting and an enjoyable take on the pieces and the sheer loveliness of the theorbo's sound is utterly seductive.De Visée was a new composer to me, and I'm very glad I've discovered him. There are five Suites de Danses by him on CD2 and they are lovely. Again, there is a slightly improvisatory style to them as was common at the time (de Visée's dates are uncertain, but approximately 1650-1732). There is plenty of melodic and harmonic invention in the courtly dance rhythms and I found the whole thing a delight. It's one of those discs where if you pay close attention there is a huge amount to listen for and enjoy but you can also just lie back and allow the lovely sound of the instrument and the style to wash over you and lift your spirits.At this price this double CD is wonderful value as well as being musically very rewarding. Very highly recommended.

This genre of music is wonderful and suave - good for the soul. It was much of a revelation to me, like a hitherto mysterious, missing piece of a puzzle - on a road from Spanish guitar to lute and theorbo (bass lute). I find I love this sort of music - lute and bass lute, and I've been a lover of many pieces of Spanish guitar music earlier.Robert de Visée used to play this mellow kind of music for the French monarch, Lous XVI: it is French lute music that is played on the CD.Monteilhet's sound is a bit more muffled that for example the prompter, more "candid" style of Toyohiko Satoh, but to me they are both excellent.The price makes the double CD a good bargain as well.

I love the theorbo sound and all the Bach tracks ( which I also have played on the guitar by others ) Don't now a lot about DeVisee.

The lovely sound of the Theorbo comes to life on this CD well worth it to discover this instrument. The Bach is well played. Rich and relaxing .

Both the instrument and Monteilet's playing were a true relelation. A delight to listen to

Theorbo sound, obviously lute+, is a winner; De Visée better suited than Bach transcription.