For this groundbreaking recording of canzonas for ogni sorte di stromenti (‘all sorts of 　　instruments’) by diversi eccellentissimi musici (‘various most excellent composers’), collected 　　by the Venetian publisher Allesandro Raverii in 1608, His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts 　　have collaborated with the Purcell Quartet and the lute consort Chordophony to explore 　　the kaleidoscopic possibilities of early seventeenth-century instrumentation. 　　 　　Some of the highlights of the CD include the rarely heard sonority of a consort of 　　eight sagbutts; the premiere recording of a matched consort of lutes; wonderful 　　cori spezzati dialogue effects between the wind and string groups; and the joy 　　and spontaneity of improvised ornamentation. 　　 　　Including a number of canzonas by Giovanni Gabrieli, this CD represents an important 　　milestone on His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts’ epic project to record the complete 　　oeuvre of the master. This recording also offers a wonderful opportunity to hear the 　　music of Gabrieli’s contemporaries in the field of instrumental composition: Antegnati, , 　　Chilese, Frescobaldi, Grillo, Guami, Lappi, Luzzaschi, Maschera, Massaino and Merulo.