Espanoleta
When most listeners think "Baroque," they probably don't consider the lively 17th-century dance music of Spain. But after hearing Chatham Baroque'sEspañoletadisc, you'll be hooked. The quartet--aided by the percussion of Danny Mallon and the harp of Becky Baxter--performs works by Diego Fernandez de Huete, Gaspar Sanz, and Ortiz, along with numerous anonymous composers. Though these compositions vary in style (thedanzaswere composed for nobility, while thebaileswere bawdier numbers for the lower classes), they're musically similar and all are gorgeous. Chatham Baroque--Chatham College's Ensemble-in-Residence--perform these pieces with driving rhythms and a great melodic sensibility, and, unlike some early-music ensembles, they never sound clunky. For lovers of early music from Spain, this disc and Jordi Savall'sMusic from Christian and Jewish Spainshould be required listening.--Jason Verlinde