An Excess of Pleasure

An Excess Of Pleasure marked the Palladian Ensemble's debut establishing them as one of the finest period ensembles around.

In 1993 the Palladian Ensemble had won the Early Music Centre International Young Artists' Competition, the South East Arts Young Artists' Platform and made their Wigmore Hall debut.

Together Rachel Podger, Pamela Thorby, William Carter and Joanna Levine formed a quartet of the highest calibre; confirmed by the solo successes each went on to enjoy in their respective careers. Winning instant critical acclaim the recording was awarded a 1993 Diapason d'Or Award and was named a Gramophone 'Critics' Choice'.

The recording is centred on seventeenth century English music and the music of the Italians who lived and worked in England or whose pieces were sold and played there at this time. The sheer variety of composers and styles together with the ability of each player to bring these dancing melodies to life makes listening to this album full of pleasure, as its title suggests.