Arcadia

"Andreas Scholl explores a fascinating, if slightly recherché repertoire by composers who belonged to a group of Arcadian artists (mainly poets). They aspired to a largely imaginary world and sought in their music to recreate the settings and motivations of their aspirations. Scholl's infinitely supple and smooth vocal delivery is a perfect vehicle for this music. In the Italian Accademia Bizantina he has found a near-ideal group of musicians with whom to collaborate."
Editor's Choice - Gramophone Magazine (March 2004)

"Breathtaking Baroque music that's extremely easy on the ear... Superb performances, making these stunning Baroque gems shine... Andreas Scholl's performance is...unashamedly warm and beautiful." (BBC Music)

This sumptuous disc of cantatas, telling of the simple love of nymphs and shepherds in an ideal pastoral landscape, presents Scholl's uniquely beautiful countertenor voice in ravishing music of great sensuality.

The music on the disc is easily accessible, relaxing and enchanting. Scholl himself has described the music, with great affection, as "Baroque easy-listening". That was the aim of the Arcadian composers - simplicity, beauty and direct musical appeal.

Andreas is accompanied for the first time by an exciting ensemble making their Decca recording debut - Accademia Bizantina directed from the harpsichord by their founder Ottavio Dantone. (A disc of keyboard concertos by Scarlatti is planned for release in 2004).

Arcadia includes intrumental works by composers associated with the Arcadian Academy, including such well known names as Corelli and Scarlatti.

The Arcadian Academy was formed in 1690 by poets supported by Queen Christina of Sweden who had converted to Catholicism, abdicated her throne and moved to Rome. After her death the Academy became enormously influential in all the arts, including art and music, and dedicated itself to simple classical truths of love in an ideal natural setting, producing works which were stripped of the excessive decoration of the 17th Century.