The Last Rose: Mysterious Music on Silent Instruments Reborn

This album has a truly remarkable origin. Early music specialists Mathilde Vialle and Thibaut Roussel received a unique opportunity. The Paris Museum of Music was loaning them two instruments from its collections. Instruments that had not been played for centuries. 

Vialle received the basse de viole of John Pitts, London 1679. It's the only known surviving instrument from this luthier. Iit was restored to playing condition in the 20th Century. But this release will most likely be the only opportunity to most of us to hear it. 

Roussel was entrusted with the archlute of Cristoph Koch, Venice, 1654. It was restored to playing condition in the 1990s.

What to perform? In the Bibliothèque nationale de France, they found a mysterious manuscript. It was a collection in two bound volumes -- one for the viol parts, the other for the bass. The first page was torn out, so there is no title, author, composer, or patron to attach to the work. 

But inside were 200 pages of music, both familiar and obscure. This album is the result. As the artists wrote in the liner notes, "To hear the music that had been long forgotten but is now played on instruments that remained silent for centuries is to embark on a journey through time."

And it's a convincing journey. Vialle and Roussel are top-notch players. While their playing is stylistically correct, it's full of expression and emotion. Ronan Khalil plays the virginal, filling out the basso continuo. And tenor Zachary Wilder sings some of the selections. 

This is a beautifully realized release. The instruments have an extraordinary sound, enhanced by the masterful recording. The clean, detailed sound showcases the rich voices of these instruments.

Even if you have a large collection of early music, you should add "The Last Rose" to your collection. And if you're starting your exploration of this genre, "The Last Rose" is a great choice as well.

The Last Rose: Songs, tunes, and dances from a mysterious manuscript
Mathilde Vialle, bass viol; Thibaut Roussel, archlute; Ronan Khalil, virginals; Zachery Wilder, tenor
Harmonia Mundi HMM 902505