The Parley of Instruments

Among numerous ensembles devoted to historical instruments, the Parley of Instruments sets itself apart through its specialized attention to the early violin repertoire spanning the Renaissance and initial decades of the Baroque, while also drawing on its command of that literature together with seventeenth-century vocal writing when approaching later Baroque and early Classical compositions. Peter Holman, active as both harpsichordist and organist, founded the group in 1979 and continues to serve as its director. Its regular membership consists of violinists Judy Tarling and Theresa Caudle together with Mark Caudle, who plays bass viol and cello. When required, the core expands by as many as two dozen additional players to create a complete violin consort capable of presenting works by composers such as Praetorius, Lully, Biber, and Purcell. On occasion the ensemble has grown further still, assuming the proportions of a Classical orchestra in order to produce period-instrument recordings of English music from the early nineteenth century. Among the soloists who have joined the Parley are Catherine Bott, Michael Chance, Crispian Steele-Perkins, Elizabeth Wallfisch, and Paul O'Dette. Its survey of significant seventeenth-century compositions began with a recording of Cavalli’s Messa concertata undertaken in collaboration with the vocal consort Seicento. Each program typically concentrates on a single musical genre or historical theme, illustrated by such titles as “Lachrimae and the Music It Inspired,” “Couperin & Charpentier Motets,” and “The Concerto in Georgian England.” These programs are presented across England in both concert and workshop formats, are frequently aired on BBC Radio, and many have appeared on the Hyperion label. By uniting the expertise of its members, the Parley maintains a unified interpretive approach that realizes early string music in the manner its composers originally conceived.