Ensemble Marsyas - Fasch - The Guardian
The Edinburgh-based Ensemble Marsyas have made a speciality of the neglected wind music of the 18th century, and here they unearth some spectacularly virtuosic pieces featuring recorder, bassoon and horn by the little-known Johann Friedrich Fasch. This may not be the most startling or inventive music harmonically, but they use the resources of their chosen instruments brilliantly. While Pamela Thorby's recorder is crisp and reliable, the real star is Peter Whelan's bassoon, burbling through its vast range with dancing precision, underpinning the quartets and shining in a C major concerto whose central Largo pits lyrical soloist against slashing string chords.
The Guardian
29 July 2014
