If you thought the viola da gamba and lute weren’t to your taste, you can’t have heard this disc. From the opening track, you are treated to a succession of strongly characterised, superbly executed performances by Vittorio Ghielmi and Luca Pianca. (Can there only be two of them playing on this disc?) No mincing or simpering here, not even in Marais’s ‘Minaudière’: this is passionate, virile playing. Forqueray’s ‘Mandoline’ entices and ‘La portugaise’ struts. Marais’s percussive ‘Tact’, a tour de force for the left hand, amazes and delights, while his ‘Cloches’ triumph over the slashing hellish groans from below. Dollé’s sinuous ‘Amusements’ and the delicately wrought mesh of Roland Marais’ ‘Noeud d’Amour’ mesmerise the listener. But best of all are the deliciously treacly, deeply felt ‘Plaintes’ of Marais and Caix d’Hervelois.

As a viol player, Ghielmi has it all: technique, taste and imagination. His range of bow strokes, command of ornamentation and control of dramatic tension are deeply satisfying. His choice of accompanist is truly inspired. Along with what can only be described as cleverly contrived contreparties, Luca Pianca brings to the music a rich and colourful palette of instrumental effects, which he deploys imaginatively and with discrimination. His solos deservedly attract attention: Mouton’s ‘Resveur’ is shapely and resonant, his ‘Belle Piedmontoise’ frothy. Visée’s Ouverture stands up well to its Lullian counterparts and his ‘Mascarade’ is elegantly parried. Enjoy!