Review from Diapason magazine #363 (abridged)
Reviewer: Denis Morrier

“Denis Morier underlines quite judiciously the importance of this recording of the “recarcadas” of Diego Ortiz. He writes: ” This is “… another revelation from Savall (as always in those ancient repertories that he explores with such an open mindedness,…); not only does it come from a famous musician and theorician…, but it stems from a buoyant and tumultuous art, full of exacerbated passions and tensions which are continuously revived.”

As we read on, he mentions that “Savall provides a broad selection from the various types of ricercadas located by Ortiz (only those based on Gregorian melodies are excluded), thus embellishing his choices with accompaniments of a wide variety, always splendidly performed. We can appreciate the volubility and the rhythmic exuberance which characterizes Ton Koopman’s performance – the hapsichordist often engaging in truly virtuoso exchanges with the soloist – as well as the inventiveness and delicacy of the harpist, Andre Lawrence-King. Being so well supported, Jordi Savall can let go all his poetical inspiration, without adornments, but giving to these pieces on the contrary a truly dramatic dimension… “.

Morier concludes his review by branding Savall as “the angel of the viola da gamba who performs… another miracle, giving a new dimension to these didactic pieces and puts them in a new perspective, shedding a new light on the Renaissance period.”