Ensemble Masques / Olivier Fortin

Romanus Weichlein - Opus I / 1695 Ensemble Masques / Olivier Fortin

After a first disc devoted to Schmelzer, enthusiastically hailed by the critics ('Editor's

Choice' Gramophone, 'Choc' of Classica), the ensemble Masques, conducted by Olivier

Fortin, returns to Alpha with a programme combining works by Muffat, Kerll and Pachelbel

along with those of a composer who has remained largely unknown and totally

forgotten: Romanus Weichlein (1652-1706).

Benedictine monk, prefect and official composer of the Benedictine abbey of Säben,

Romanus Weichlein left several collections of sonatas and masses as well as large chaconnes, magnificent works in the tradition of his compatriots Biber, Johann Heinrich

Schmelzer, Pavel Josef Vejvanovsky´ and Georg Muffat.

In this new program, Masques presents both ensemble pieces and others for solo or

two harpsichords (the second harpsichord being played by Skip Sempé), always featuring

the expressiveness, eloquence and profound interpretation for which it is known.