Atrium Musicae de Madrid, Grégorio Paniagua ‎– Tarentule-Tarentelle (180g LP)

Long before modern science established the fact, it was recognized that music had the power to heal. The present album is dedicated to the tarantella, a dance form whereby a couple was surrounded by a circle of others and which was supposed to cure the long-term effects of a toxic spider bite. “Concocted” by Italian and Spanish musicians whose names have long faded into oblivion, the musical antidotes (so the title of the first piece) were rediscovered by scholars in the 17th century and brought together in book form. Gregorio Paniagua, director of the Atrium Musicae de Madrid, shows great craftsmanship in the Baroque arrangements of the melodies. He creates his historical sound-world with impeccably played gamba parts, the purest of harp tones and gentle cloudlike chords on the positive organ. At times cacophonous percussion adds a little spice to the sound, and here and there a flute makes itself heard. These sharp accents, although melodious and pleasing to the ear, conjures up a vision of rustic, frenzied dancing.