Following the success of its 2017 recording Edinburgh 1742: Barsanti & Handel, Ensemble Marsyas returns to the music of the Italian composer Francesco Barsanti who made his home in eighteenth-century Scotland.

Having already explored Barsanti’s Concerti grossi - Parte Prima, double horn concerto and his arrangements of Scottish tunes, fans will be pleased to be able to hear more music from this engaging composer. The new album features Barsanti’s Concerti grossi - Parte Seconda, composed and published in Edinburgh in 1742, thus completing the Opus 3 collection.

Another set from ‘A Collection of Old Scots Tunes’, featuring Elizabeth Kenny and Colin Scobie, plus Handel’s Overture to Atalanta, which was performed by the Edinburgh Musical Society, complete the programme.

Ensemble Marsyas’s groundbreaking recording of the Parte Prima enjoyed a rapturous reception, gaining a 2018 ICMA nomination and Gramophone ‘Editor’s Choice’ and MusicWeb International ‘Recording of the Year 2017’ accolades.

Artistic Director Peter Whelan has once again created an album that provides a fascinating glimpse into eighteenth-century musical life in the Scottish capital.

Formed in 2011 to explore the virtuoso wind music from the 18th century, the Edinburgh-based Ensemble Marsyas under Artistic Director Peter Whelan counts amongst its members some of the finest historical instrumentalists working in Europe today. Since winning the Bruges International Competition, Ensemble Marsyas has performed at prestigious venues and festivals across Europe.

Irish-born Peter Whelan is among the most exciting and versatile exponents of historical performance of his generation, with a remarkable career as a conductor, keyboardist and solo bassoonist. He is Artistic Director of the Irish Baroque Orchestra and founding Artistic Director of Ensemble Marsyas.

“The performances … are consistently bracing, and likely to do no amount of good for Barsanti’s 21st-century reputation.” – The Irish Times 5*

“Peter Whelan and his terrific Ensemble Marsyas … played with great style and charisma. We get the broad, bright elegance of Barsanti’s Concerti Grossi, his tasteful treatment of old Scots tunes.” – The Guardian 4*