“The opening Grave, with subtle nuances in Andrew Arceci’s viola da gamba and overall intricate textures, conveyed the quiet and poised joy of daily thanksgiving. The ensuing Allegro was rendered as a burst of fire tempered by Heloise Degrugillier’s spiritual recorder, conveying a zeal for life restrained by wisdom. The Dolce preached a new kind of elegance without stiffness, based on a genuine sensitivity to the worth of human politeness, articulated especially by the recorder. The concerto culminated in a final Allegro that taught confidence in the human power to integrate efforts and take pleasure in cooperation, emphasized in particular by the duet of recorder and viola da gamba.”


L. Golub, THE BOSTON MUSICAL INTELLIGENCER (May 2014; United States)




“...the subtle but substantial supporting bass line provided on the violone by Andrew Arceci, and the melodic commentaries of Ben Powell’s characterful and engaging violin playing, provided many delights.”


L. Stevens, THE BOSTON MUSICAL INTELLIGENCER (May 2014; United States)




“Those responsible for the opulent, plush music of Michel Lambert (1610-1696), Jean-Baptiste Drouard de Bousset (1662-1725), Charles Dollé (c.1700-c.1755), and Antoine Forqueray (1671-1745) were the ensemble’s director Andrew Arceci, who played the melodies on viola da gamba while William Simms and Daniel Swenberg accompanied the gamba’s melodies on the theorbo (bass lute) and baroque guitar.”


“Elegance, delicacy, courtliness, dignity, nobility and gentility were the delights of the afternoon, thanks to Monsieur Marais and the aesthetically pleasing and tasteful musicians.”


B. Plaxen, THE CATSKILL CHRONICLE (November 2013; United States)




Radio Catskill-WJFF RADIO: Monday Afternoon Classics w/ Gandalf (November 2013; United States)


CHRONOGRAM (November 2013; United States)




EARLY MUSIC TODAY (August 2013; United Kingdom)




MACROVIEW, TAIWAN (December 2012; Taiwan)


TAINAN CITY GOVERNMENT (December 2012; Taiwan)




“Highlighting fresh material as well as fresh interpretations, L’Académie also hosted the New England premiere of composer and viola da gamba player Andrew Arceci’s Suite Two in G minor for Gamba, Strings and Percussion, with Arceci as conductor and soloist. Arceci explained that the work included some last-minute changes from the original score for a more ‘intimate’ setting. Smaller forces and midnight oil notwithstanding, the work remained

emotionally powerful and cogent.”


“The first movement of Arceci’s suite alternated the soloist’s meditative phrases with dissonant orchestral outbursts, choreographing an internal battle between harsh memories and the will to move on. The second movement featured Arceci’s silken runs against simply placed but powerful viola harmonies, and the strident march that closed the work was voiced for violins in their lowest range. As a soloist, Arceci displayed a thick, metallic tone in the lower register with throaty, well-placed high notes. L’Académie in turn followed his cues with

precision and nuance to the work’s forlorn end.”


A. Sammut, THE BOSTON MUSICAL INTELLIGENCER (February 2012; United States)




“Andrew Arceci and John McKean — a youngish duo playing viola da gamba and harpsichord, respectively — have been building a name for themselves lately as thoughtful interpreters of historically informed early music.”


“The playing was detailed and beautifully balanced throughout the afternoon…”


S. Brookes, THE WASHINGTON POST (December 2012; United States)




“It was a magical evening of music rarely heard live, exquisitely performed..."


"...performed with perfection by the world-class ensemble. A real treat."


B. Plaxen, THE CATSKILL CHRONICLE (August 2011; United States)


MORRISTOWN, NJ PATCH (August 2011; United States)




“Each work is packed with solo passages that displayed the considerable skills of Juilliard’s accomplished players: most notably Ms. Karr and Ms. Wenstrom; Emi Ferguson and Christopher Matthews, the flutists; Molly Norcross and Nathanael Udell, the hornists; and Andrew Arceci, the bassist, who had extensive solos in the trio section of each work’s Menuetto.”


A. Kozinn, THE NEW YORK TIMES (March 2011; United States)




"The evening ended with Canzona by Elżbieta Sikora, who deploys a solo viola da gamba in a frenetic duel with the chamber orchestra. At times the piece felt like a Bach sonata being assaulted, interrupted by enormous forces-perhaps a metaphor for an ancient instrument struggling to find its place in the modern age. Andrew Arceci was heroic in the wide-ranging solo part, vividly conducted (as was the entire program) by Dr. Sachs, with unusually alert, on-point contributions from the Juilliard players.”


B. Hodges, SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL (January 2011; United States)


"Andrew Arceci brought a lovely tone to the line and matched the dramatic impulses that propelled the superb ensemble playing."


A. Kozinn, THE NEW YORK TIMES (January 2011; United States)




THE LIBERTY TIMES (April 2010; Taiwan)




THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER (April 2007; United States)







© A. Arceci 2014