BarrocoTout makes its recording debut following a prize-winning performance at the highly respected biennial York Early Music International Young Artists Competition. After a hard-fought competition Philip Hobbs, Chairman of the Judges and Linn’s Chief Producer, said: “The level of musical performance has been exceptional… BarrocoTout are an extraordinary ensemble.” Formed at the Royal Conservatoires in Brussels, the ensemble has chosen to champion the music of a hitherto neglected Belgian composer: Henri-Jacques de Croes.

Treading a path between French, Italian and German influences, de Croes produced music that was courtly yet with enlightenment aspirations. The Trio Sonatas of Op.5 were written with a touch of Rococo in mind and a strong Italianate flavour. With only one copy in existence the Six Sonates have hitherto led only a shadowy existence and were regarded as ‘lost’ for many years. With this recording BarrocoTout aims to quash the myth that ‘unknown is unloved’.

Formed in 2013 BarrocoTout specializes in historically informed performance; its unique name is inspired by a sketch show by the Spanish comedy group Muchachada Nui: Baroque Yourself. BarrocoTout comprises Carlota Garcia (flute), Izana Soria (violin), Edouard Catalan (cello) and Ganaël Schneider (harpsichord). Selected for the Eeemerging project in 2015, BarrocoTout has performed across Europe receiving the audience price at the Fringe Oude Muziek in Utrecht.

In 2017 BarrocoTout won the York Early Music International Young Artists Competition; the ensemble performed Bach’s Musical Offering which was broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on Christmas Day 2017. Festival performances include Semana de Música Antigua de Estella, Musique baroque en Famenne Ardenne, Son ar Mein, Internationale Händel-Festspiele Göttingen, York Early Music Festival, Festival Musiq3 and Riga Early Music Centre. BarrocoTout has appeared in concert at Concertgebouw Brugge, Bozar, Brussels Musical Instruments Museum and Lyon Auditorium.