'...Das gefühl von balsamischen Frieden und beseligender Zeitlosigkeit, bringt er wie kaum ein anderer zum Ausdruk.'
'...Das gefühl von balsamischen Frieden und beseligender Zeitlosigkeit, bringt er wie kaum ein anderer zum Ausdruk.'
'Alone for his aria 'In deine Hände befehl ich meinen Geist', the Dutch countertenor charms with his solar timbre, his sensitive phrasing which uses different colors and nuances without losing presence.'
Solomon with Scottish Chamber Orchestra
The enthusiasm with which the ensemble PRJCT Amsterdam is engaged responds to the positive emulation of lead singer Maarten Engeltjes. The rhythmic stability of the continuo provides expressive force to the ensemble, even causing the stubborn bass of the air Sound the Trumpet to "groove". Enriched with the timbre of the bassoon, it intervenes in an endlessly renewed diversity of colors
The program also gives pride of place to music, the Ensemble PRJCT Amsterdam is much more than a simple accompanist, it is a real breath. Under the direction of Maarten Engeltjes, the ensemble never gives in to the sometimes artificial enthusiasms into which more than one conductor can be drawn in this treacherously flattering repertoire. The roundness and flexibility of the sounds allow us to hear again and rediscover the music of Purcell with this characteristic blend of softness and firmness, rigor and flexibility, thus reminding us that he was one of the greatest melodists of his time.
"The trumpets sound (Sound the trumpet), the lute chirps (Ah, Heav'n! What Isn't I Hear?), the music becomes a source of comfort and joy in the air: If music be the food of love (concert title) and Music for a while. Purcell, nicknamed the British Orpheus, sets the English language to music with refinement, declining states of love in all their diversity (...). The program thus highlights the richness and variety of the composer's body of vocal works (...)" (original in French)
"Countertenors Maarten Engeltjes and Andreas Scholl are on tour with duets by Purcell. Their voices blend brilliantly, while baroque ensemble PRJCT Amsterdam provides excellent accompaniment."
(...)
"In between, actor Frans van Deursen recited seven Shakespeare sonnets about music and love. The sonnets were well chosen and loosely but communicatively translated by Van Deursen himself."
"(...) It was a delight to hear both voices virtuosically swirling around each other in arias such as No, resistance is but vain and the euphoric Sound the trumpet. (...) Another primal force that passed in review during the program was winter in Purcell's exceptionally modern sounding Cold Song from King Arthur, sung very expressively by Engeltjes. With firm jolts and jabs he made the cutting freezing cold almost tangible and caused the listener a very appropriate physiological reaction: goosebumps."
"The smoothing sound of the ensemble in Buxtehude's "Klaglied" brings you from reality to the world of heavens and harmony." "The sensitive and powerful voice like a taut thread, and the free expressiveness are the most appealing features of the modern countertenor." "Listeners will surely find peace in the fulfilling and gentle sound of the ensemble."
"The angelic, ethereal sound of the countertenor voice is soothing, almost comforting, and that is important when it is about the subject of death." "Just like on his first Bach recording, Maarten Engeltjes is accompanied by the soft and hovering sounds of the baroque orchestra PRJCT Amsterdam."
The flawless purity of his countertenor comes into his own in a unique way in the cantata "Ich habe genug" (BWV 82) that follows the "Klagelied" from Dietrich Buxtehude. [Engels] expresses the feeling of balsamic quietude and blissful timelessness like no other.
"... Beneath his calm, ripple-free legato, you feel the restrained passion, while your ear registers the carefully measured ornamentation and the pinpoint pianissimo in the higher regions. (...) Somehow PRJCT Amsterdam also places the sometimes exuberant groove under heartfelt lyrics like 'Ich freue mich auf meinen Tod' and 'Mir ekelt mehr zu leben' in a new light: not only is the I-figure at peace with the end of life, he or she even reaches for the afterlife. ..."