Céline Scheen - Kempis: Symphoniæ (2004)

The present disc is made up of works by Nicolaus à Kempis taken from his three volumes of Symphoniæ, published at Antwerp between 1644 and 1649. The Symphoniæ are effectively what the Italians would have referred to as “sonatas”. They are written either for one violin and basso continuo, for trio (two violins and bass, or violin, viol and bass), or in a few cases for four or five instruments, with reference being made to “cornett, violin, trombone, and tenor or bass viol or both”. The instrumental works are complemented by several motets, little jewels in a style which seems more traditional than the composer’s instrumental music – simply because the two-part vocal writing of the motets has assimilated the Italian style more inwardly.