Rodolfo Richter - violin
Susanne Heinrich - viola da gamba
William Carter - archlute, theorbo, guitar
Silas Standage - harpsichord
Palladians (formerly the Palladian Ensemble) is a quartet of the highest calibre, firmly established on the international music scene since 1991. They present baroque chamber music infused with style, uninhibited virtuosity and intelligent musicianship.
The original members of the Palladian Ensemble (Rachel Podger, Pamela Thorby, Joanna Levine and William Carter) met during their studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (London) where they specialised in virtuoso chamber music of the baroque period. In 1991 they won the Early Music Centre International Young Artists' Competition, in 1992 they won the South East Arts Young Artists' Platform and by 1993 they had released their first album (An Excess of Pleasure) and made their Wigmore Hall debut.
Gamba player Susanne Heinrich replaced cellist Joanna Levine in 1995 and the Palladian Ensemble went on to tour extensively throughout the UK, South America, the US and Europe, enjoying consistent popularity with audiences and critics worldwide. They recorded six more albums on the way. By 2003 Rachel Podger decided to pursue a solo career and thus stepped in the prize-winning violinist Rodolfo Richter. The Ensemble made two more albums Les Elemens and Sonatas and Chorales - J.S. Bach.
The Palladian Ensemble's award-winning series of recordings for Linn Records have received unanimous praise. An Excess of Pleasure, A Choice Collection and Held by the Ears won the prestigious Diapason d'Or, with others winning Gramophone Magazine 'Editor's Choice' plaudits.
In 2007 Pamela Thorby left the Ensemble in order to pursue new performance opportunities. Nowadays, the Palladian Ensemble is known as "Palladians" allowing more artistic freedom for players to come and go as required, depending on the programme being performed.
Klassik.com
"In der ‚Teufelstriller-Sonate’ lässt er sein Instrument mal verstörend scharf, mal weich und betörend klingen..."
more >>Early Music Review"The Ensemble play consistently with verve, style and virtuosity."
more >>Early Music Review"...full of emotional intensity and beautiful sounds..."
more >>BBC Music Magazine
Chamber Disc of the Month: "...this is breath-taking stuff."
more >>International Record Review"Darkly fantastic...excellent throughout..."
more >>AudioVideoHD
"Un disco perfecto por la calidad de su grabación, y la impecable maestría de Palladians."
more >>AudioVideoHD"Las interpretaciones de The Palladians son siempre tan veraces..."
more >>Music OMH"...consistently high quality."
more >>The Scotsman"...the performances are to die for..."
more >>MusicOMH"...the music's exotic beauty, and the recording quality is unquestionable."
more >>ClassicsToday.com"These Palladians really know how to make an impressive, entertaining show. Strongly recommended."
more >>BBC Online"...vivid, vital and fresh."
more >>The Observer"It's no myth that Rodolfo Richter rises to the challenge with ease..."
more >>Financial Times"...a bewitching blend of period taste and musical eloquence."
more >>The Times (Knowledge)"...a beautiful disc, with exquisite playing from all four members of the authentic instrument group."
The Irish Times"The players bring a kind of tragic grandeur to the first movement..."
more >>PolitikenThe Palladians formår at flytte fingrene ekstraordinært hurtigt.
more >>Audiophile Audition"...a beautiful and cogent modern recording."
more >>Sunday TimesClassical CD of the Week: "...frequently recorded, but rarely with the gusto and technical address..."
more >>ClassicsToday France"Un maître-disque d'une perfection jamais stérile, qui montre que le bon goût vaut parfois bien mieux que l'emportement ou la quête du spectaculaire."
more >>SA-CD.net"Dazzling playing...Highly recommended."
more >>Mid Sussex Citizen & Holderness Gazette...commendable blend of style, togetherness and vitality...
more >>MusicWeb-International.comAn interesting recording of unique arrangements of Bach
more >>The HeraldThe Palladian Ensemble is just about peerless in this repertoire
more >>The Perthshire AdvertiserReview of the 'breathtaking' recital in Perth Concert Hall
more >>Early Music ReviewAn attractive and convincing rework of well-known music by Bach
more >>International Record ReviewAn intimate, supple and imaginative performance
more >>BBC Music MagazineA refreshing recording coloured magically
more >>The ScotsmanA performance with 'stylish and buoyant sensitivity'
more >>Atlanta Audio SocietyDelectable Bach played by the Palladians
more >>New-Classics.co.ukThis acclaimed period-instrument group's sparkling performance on this recording is irresistible.
more >>GramophoneBeautiful.
more >>ClassicToday.comThis is music for fun, and the performances fully convey its pleasures and delights.
more >>The ObserverVirtuosic gusto.
more >>International Record Review...gripping, animated, and sometimes positively visceral. Recommended.
more >>Gramophone...a group whose quick-witted inventiveness and almost supernatural internal rapport never fail to delight, whatever the music.
more >>Yorkshire Evening Press...superb throughout.
more >>The Observer...refreshingly different and sprightly set full of energy and humour...
more >>Daily Telegraph...crisp, stylish and technically impeccable playing...
more >>BBC Music MagazineThe Sun King's Paradise is an earthly delight.
more >>Gramophone...verve, virtuosity and varied instrumental colour.
more >>BBC Music MagazineThe sound is excellent...
more >>GramophoneJoin them on board...
more >>BBC Music MagazineBreathtaking...
more >>Classic CDThe programme continually surprises and enchants. The playing too.
more >>BBC Music MagazineSparkling playing with a sense of uninhibited joy: breathtaking
more >>