"Throughout, the music, and Čičić’s playing, continually underline why the 17th century is often called the Golden Age of violin-playing; there’s a great combination of subtle nuance, bold contrast and sheer technical dazzle. ... For me, this release is a triumph and pretty much everything about it speaks of an artist entering the golden phase of his career. If it doesn’t win awards, I’ll be astonished ..."



RECORDING OF THE MONTH

"It was Manze’s recording of some 30 years ago that first inspired Čičić to specialise in Baroque violin, and his new recording for Delphian – closely-focused, and with plenty of ‘grain’ – was made in the same venue of St Martin’s Church, East Woodhay, Hampshire. A former leader of the Academy of Ancient Music, Čičić has already won acclaim for recordings ranging from Bach and Handel to Carbonelli, Giornovich and Walther. Here, together with his colleagues, he achieves an ideal blend between dazzling technical prowess and penetrating musicality ... Čičić and his colleagues respond brilliantly to the mercurial changes of affect with great inventiveness and sensitivity ... These are demanding yet constantly absorbing works that are open to more than one approach (not least in their more free-form movements), but for those wanting the complete set, Čičić and the Illyria Consort are now the ones to go for. It’s another wonderful addition to their Delphian discography"

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE