From the first notes of this CD, you know you are hearing something new and ground-breaking. Each track tells its own story. A tragedy from Sweden, a joke from Ireland, a lament from Scotland, a life well lived from America.

The musicians of Ensemble Galilei have brought together a repertoire unparalleled in breadth, and they perform these pieces with unfettered virtuosity. Borders crossed, genres bent, new approaches to old music, this CD is unbelievably compelling as a work of art, rapturously accessible as a piece of music.

Carolyn Surrick explains: “Sue brought 'Miss Abbott', a tune she wrote years ago for her mother and I brought 'Uti Dahlin', a Swedish song sung by my great-grandmother to her children. Jackie brought 'Amy’s' and 'Sophie’s Slip Jig', the first a tune written for his wife, the second for his daughter. I wrote 'Lindsay’s Keys' for my dear friends’ wedding and 'Ginger’s', a chant for strength and faith. I first heard 'Innerståfrid’n (Innermost Peace)', and 'Vals efter ‘Jonte i Byom' at Walter Reed, not always a place for cheery, upbeat music. These tunes perfectly express a solemn, soulful, reflection of a world where goodness does not always triumph and darkness is not a curse. There are storied histories to the other tunes – Ryan’s long and deep love of Scottish music made manifest in the 'Sitting on the Stern of the Boat' set, Isaac and his pipe set from Ireland, Kathryn Montoya’s perfect partnership with Jackie on 'John Come Kiss Me Now', and the Telemann and Marais, pieces for the gamba that have been a part of my life for more than thirty years.”

Founded in 1990, Ensemble Galilei is an ensemble of players from both classical and Celtic backgrounds, playing Irish and Scottish airs and dance tunes, early and medieval music, and original compositions. The Ensemble takes their name and inspiration from the life of composer Vincenzo Galilei, whose influence, some four hundred years ago, helped restore a vital element of passion to the music of the day.