There is some fine treble playing on charivari agréable’s Two upon a Ground, notably in Purcell’s ingenious Two in One upon a Ground where Susanne Heinrich and Susanna Pell give a gentle and reflective performance with a lovely feeling for line. In total contrast are Simpson’s boisterous Divisions in G for two bass viols which are performed with suitable panache until the calming arrival of peals of bells heralds its conclusion. Jenkins’ exquisite C major work ’for 2 Division Viols to a Ground’ is included and benefits from the support of David Van Edward’s reconstruction of an English theorbo (based on Talbot and Mace) played by Lynda Sayce. Indeed charivari agréable have skilfully avoided the potential monotony of a CD devoted to grounds by occasionally interpolating another form, for example Hume’s Pavan, and using five different continuo instruments - the Ruckers harpsichord of 1623 has magnificent vitality and depth."

Lucy Robinson

With two of Early Music Review’s reviewers featured on this disc it is pleasing to be able to recommend it wholeheartedly. For a start, it is excellent value, with nearly 80 minutes of music. This music is well-known to and beloved of viol players, but will be of great interest to others: bass viol duets with organ, harpsichord, theorbo and guitar in various combinations by those great figures of English 17th century music, Jenkins, Simpson, Lawes. For viol players no more need be said - just buy it. It is all beautifully played, and I was particularly struck with the lovely fresh clean sound of the two bass viols. I would guess they play with non-metal wound gut bass strings. The balance between bass and treble registers is just right and both instruments , though quite distinct, share this quality. There’s more: solos for virginals by Tomkins, brilliantly played, a Gaultier Tombeau, beautiful on an original English Theorbo, a couple of Tobias Hume solos, some Purcell even and some Finger. In fact, if anything, there is too much. It is as though they are really making two recordings, and couldn’t quite make up their mind how to split them. But one needn’t listen to it all at once.

The music on this CD includes divisions by Simpson (who else!), Finger, Jenkins, two extraordinary pieces for solo viol for Hume, works by William Lawes, Locke et al., not forgetting Purcell’s eponymous ’Charivari Agréable’. A track of particular interest, I thought, is Ennemond Gaultier’s ’La Pompe Funèbre’ which is played by Lynda Sayce with true authenticity on an English Theorbo made by David van Edwards. Since their formation in 1993 Charivari Agréable have become renowned for their ravishing sonorities and textures, and their distinctive interpretations embody careful and thorough researches into period performance practices. The music on this recording is extremely enjoyable, not only for listening pleasure but also from an academic point of view.

As a result of their studies into performance practice they have achieved an uncommon degree of musical authenticity which is a joy to hear. This is an innovative well-researched and delivered performance. Thoughtful and considered use and combination of instruments gives rise to a remarkable diversity of sounds. Needless to say the quality of the recorded sound is excellent.

For those amongst us with an interest in music for instruments other than those of the lute family this CD will make an important addition to their collection."

Richard Dixon

This is a beautiful program, showing a wide variety of works from this period, featuring viol music, but also with a few "extra" pieces to allow each musician to express themselves alone. Musically satisfying, performed excellently and recorded perfectly, this disc deserves the highest recommendation."

Kirk McElhearn

Seventeenth-century English domestic music for solo viols is hard to bring off but Charivari Agréable welcome us into their private recreational world with full-bodied textures and a delightfully elegant dialogue between bass viols especially. Simpson – the esteemed division pedagogue – is treated to some confident and sensitive playing, but Lawes’s Pavan is the musical highpoint. A sunny disposition enhanced by an excellent recorded sound."

Jonathan Freeman-Attwood