The Sirius Viols - Simpson: The Four Seasons (2016)

Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons is one of the most popular works in the classical repertoire worldwide. But Vivaldi wasn’t the only composer to be inspired by the change of seasons. Another was Christopher Simpson (1605–1669), one of the best viola da gamba players of the early English Baroque and a highly esteemed composer. His Four Seasons is one of those fascinating works that take us on a musical journey through the recurring parts of the year. Now Hille Perl and her ensemble, Sirius Viols, have recorded this colourful piece, a work abounding in dynamism, virtuosity and experimental verve. They guide the listener on a musical tour of icy winter, burgeoning spring and sultry summer all the way to multi-coloured autumn.

Hille Perl is a German virtuoso performer of the viola da gamba and lirone. She is considered to be one of the world's finest viola da gamba players, specializing in solo and ensemble music of the 17th and 18th centuries. She has a particular interest in French Baroque repertoire for seven-string bass viola da gamba. She also performs Spanish, Italian, German, and modern repertoire for the instrument and has released several CDs. Perl lives in northern Germany and teaches at the University of the Arts Bremen.

The Sirius Viols was founded by Hille Perl. Besides Ms Perl herself, they consist of two other performers of the viola da gamba, Marthe Perl and Frauke Hess. The ensemble takes its name from the brightest star in the northern skies: Sirius. They have already performed in many interesting projects with various singers and instrumentalists, such as the English tenor and conductor Julian Podger and the lutenist Lee Santana.

Tracklist:
01. The Four Seasons: The Four Seasons: Winter: I. Fan
02. The Four Seasons: The Four Seasons: Winter: II. Ayre
03. The Four Seasons: The Four Seasons: Winter: III. Galliard
04. The Four Seasons: The Four Seasons: Spring: I. Fan
05. The Four Seasons: The Four Seasons: Spring: II. Ayre
06. The Four Seasons: The Four Seasons: Spring: III. Galliard
07. The Four Seasons: The Four Seasons: Summer: I. Fan
08. The Four Seasons: Summer: II. Ayre
09. The Four Seasons: Summer: III. Galliard
10. The Four Seasons: Autumne: I. Fan
11. The Four Seasons: The Four Seasons: Autumne: II. Ayre
12. The Four Seasons: The Four Seasons: Autumne: III. Galliard
13. Eccles