Early-music listeners will appreciate the careful attention lavished on these 17th-century instrumental works, composed by John Jenkins and Matthew Locke for violin, bass viol, and organ or harpsichord. The three-person ensemble known as Music’s Re-creation simply “re-creates” the often-intricate interaction of melodic lines with the supporting harmonic foundation provided by one or the other keyboard instruments, enlivening the experience with improvisatory-like flourishes and abundant virtuosic displays. Jenkins is especially effective in his first-movement “fantasias”–and in the single-movement work that inhabits the worlds of both D minor and D major. Locke’s opening Pavans are memorable for their engaging melodies and harmonic poignancy, but the concluding Sarabands are especially notable for their often-abrupt, surprising endings. Throughout, the trio of instrumentalists sustains the energy and momentum of these well-written, dance-oriented works, lacking only in the most refined measure of detail in string articulation–for example, fast runs tend to be somewhat scraped and scuffley. The sound is close but well-balanced, only slightly harsh in louder sections. For the ultimate Jenkins experience, check out the recording on Channel Classics (for a review, type Q4668 in Search Reviews); for another view of Locke’s instrumental works, see the Phantasm recording on GMN (type Q3515).
