Collegium Vocale Gent/Philippe Herreweghe (dir)

Outhere Music LPH043 ★★★★

Gesualdo first published his Fourth Book of Madrigals in five parts in Ferrara in 1596, and between 1604 and 1616 they were reissued no fewer than four times. This exquisite collection signalled the stylistic tipping-point that would lead to the highly chromatic writing of his later madrigal collections. But whereas other vocal groups and conductors might play up Gesualdo’s dramatic effects and bold dissonances, Herreweghe and his team of single voices (plus a delicious lute) are relatively cool and detached as far as the emotional stakes are concerned. Some might regard this a shortcoming, even counter-productive in conveying the meaning of this music, but one really can’t help but be seduced by Herreweghe’s view of Gesualdo’s world, largely owing to the flawless singing of his ensemble, whose voices are carefully matched as well as impeccably tuned and balanced.