The Emperor's Fiddler in the press

We were thrilled with the response to The Emperor’s Fiddler, Obsidian Records’ first collaboration with violinist and musicologist David Irving. Find some reviews of the disc below.

"To best reflect the regal setting for the earliest performances of these works, Irving has gathered together a rich continuo ensemble of four musicians and the resulting array of ever-changing accompaniments is evidence of their close collaboration... The clarity and warmth of the recorded sound is a pleasure to experience."
Gramophone Magazine

"This disc is fascinating for its scholarship, but more, it's a great listen. Irving and co prove masterful advocates of Schmelzer's work, The Emperor's Fiddler a cogent, beautiful argument for the composer's revival and a more prominent place in the history books."
5 stars, Editor's Choice
Limelight Magazine

"Tonal richness in the melancholic passages, and bold and brilliant technique during the more virtuosic segments"
Classical Music Sentinel

"At his best, Schmelzer was a superb melodist: sample the “Sonata secunda” from his Sonatæ unarum fidium of 1664, a sequence of meltingly attractive variations playing out over an ostinato bassline. Harpist Hannah Lane adds a delicious touch of colour. "
The Arts Desk

"Impressively researched and divinely performed"
Readings

"What David loves about Early Music is that it brings Historical Musicology and performance together, bringing research and experimentation together with playing. He feels that musicology makes him a better musician and practical music makes him a better musicologist."
Interview with Planet Hugill

Click here to read more about The Emperor’s Fiddler: Johann Heinrich Schmelzer