Recent reviews
The Madrigal Transformed, Echi Lontani Festival, Cagliari, May 2014
Early Music Today, September-November 2014
Robert Hugill, 26 August 2014
Press quotations
The gathering of musicians was magnificent: top-class instrumentalists and solo singers astonishing with their fluency and grace, well matched by the competence and musicality of three excellent choirs.
Andrew Connal, thelatest.co.uk, November 2012
The instrumentalists were quite superb, again there was a lot of music for them to play. We got some amazingly varied textures.
Robert Hugill, November 2012
The period instruments of The English Cornett Sackbut Ensemble and The Monteverdi String Band were totally at one with the singers and the music: this was quality playing, supportive, yet unobtrusively excellent – and what a huge difference it makes.
Peter Lloyd Williams, Bath Chronicle, March 2012
There is nothing quite like a band of two fiddles, cornetti and brass to rouse the spirit.
Brian Clark, Early Music Review, February 2011
The orchestra was a composite of the Monteverdi String Band and the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble. Their playing was sensitive and perfectly complemented the voices.
David Winskill, Ham & High April 2009
The instrumental items were played with great panache; Monteverdi's Sonata Sopra Sancta Maria fizzed with energy, and there was a lively sense of dialogue between the two groups in Gabrieli's Sonata Pian' e Forte
Mike Wheeler, Music and Vision, July 2006
A lively orchestral performance ... permanent continuo flowering into rare jaunty dances.
Robert Thicknesse, The Times, May 2005
Musical standards ... are exceptionally high.
Andrew Clements, Guardian, May 2005
Andrew Connal, thelatest.co.uk, November 2012
The instrumentalists were quite superb, again there was a lot of music for them to play. We got some amazingly varied textures.
Robert Hugill, November 2012
The period instruments of The English Cornett Sackbut Ensemble and The Monteverdi String Band were totally at one with the singers and the music: this was quality playing, supportive, yet unobtrusively excellent – and what a huge difference it makes.
Peter Lloyd Williams, Bath Chronicle, March 2012
There is nothing quite like a band of two fiddles, cornetti and brass to rouse the spirit.
Brian Clark, Early Music Review, February 2011
The orchestra was a composite of the Monteverdi String Band and the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble. Their playing was sensitive and perfectly complemented the voices.
David Winskill, Ham & High April 2009
The instrumental items were played with great panache; Monteverdi's Sonata Sopra Sancta Maria fizzed with energy, and there was a lively sense of dialogue between the two groups in Gabrieli's Sonata Pian' e Forte
Mike Wheeler, Music and Vision, July 2006
A lively orchestral performance ... permanent continuo flowering into rare jaunty dances.
Robert Thicknesse, The Times, May 2005
Musical standards ... are exceptionally high.
Andrew Clements, Guardian, May 2005
Working with MSB
The combination of MSB's startling beauty of sound and their devotion to fine detail both interpretative and instrumental makes them a natural choice for this repertoire - and they're delightful and easy to work with too!
James Weeks, Orlando Chamber Choir
Oliver Webber's Monteverdi String Band played immaculately for us during 1610 Vespers, delighting audience and choir alike with their virtuoso performance and (of course) exemplary sense of style. They're also thoroughly helpful in the run-up to performance.
Duncan Aspden, Thame Chamber Choir
Working with the Monteverdi String Band was a wonderful experience. The players combine a thorough stylistic knowledge with a flair and spontaneity which brings the music of the 17th century alive in a very exciting way. Our Monteverdi 'Vespers' was a highlight of our musical year.
Andrew Cantrill, Organist and Master of the Choristers, Croydon Parish Church
James Weeks, Orlando Chamber Choir
Oliver Webber's Monteverdi String Band played immaculately for us during 1610 Vespers, delighting audience and choir alike with their virtuoso performance and (of course) exemplary sense of style. They're also thoroughly helpful in the run-up to performance.
Duncan Aspden, Thame Chamber Choir
Working with the Monteverdi String Band was a wonderful experience. The players combine a thorough stylistic knowledge with a flair and spontaneity which brings the music of the 17th century alive in a very exciting way. Our Monteverdi 'Vespers' was a highlight of our musical year.
Andrew Cantrill, Organist and Master of the Choristers, Croydon Parish Church
