The Royal Wind Music - Sweelinck: The Orpheus of Amsterdam

If there is one name in the history of music in the northern Netherlands that is etched in the collective memory, it is undoubtedly that of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck - a composer of impressive vocal and instrumental works of exceptionally high quality.

He is celebrated as the Orpheus of Amsterdam, as he was organist of the Oude Kerk between 1577 and 1621, and the Amsterdam city council knew how to patronise the popular musician in their city and help him to prosper. Sweelinck's vocal works were widely distributed thanks to the flourishing publishing industry, but his organ works also had a great influence on the North German organ school, right up to Johann Sebastian Bach.

The Royal Wind Music is a flute consort of Renaissance recorders of all pitches, from soprano down to sub-contrabass flute. The ensemble is often compared to a walking organ because of its even and polyphonic sound possibilities.

In their choice of four programme sections, the musicians contrast a vocal work and an organ work by Sweelinck with variation pieces by Sweelinck himself or two new compositions written especially for this programme and the ensemble. Orpheus' voice thus resounds in a wonderfully cohesive sound, sometimes interrupted by the echo of new soundscapes.

'The Royal Wind Music has showed in previous recordings to be a very fine ensemble. [�] Here, they are again in excellent form. It is astonishing how well the instruments blend, and how good the intonation is. The members show considerable virtuosity, and especially the playing of the lowest instruments, large in size, is impressive.' � Music Web International