Jose Antônio de Almeida Prado's music is the result of a unique combination of influences, moving through different styles and techniques while always displaying a recognisably strong personal imprint. Chamber music accounts for a large part of Almeida Prado's output. The Trio de Fontainebleau is infused with the ambience of his studies in France with Nadia Boulanger. The Balada is characteristic of the composer's mature style, with textures based on resonances, free modalism, consonant 'transtonal harmony,' and alternation between simple and complex rhythms. Trio Marítimo evokes the Portuguese poetry of Fernando Pessoa, while the Cello Sonata, with it's richly expressive palette of references, was considered by the composer to be one of his greatest achievements.

Even though Cipriani Potter's desire for lessons with Beethoven did not materialise, he benefitted from the great composer's advice and showed in his own music a thorough understanding of German models. As an admired soloist, he also introduced piano concertos by Mozart and Beethoven to Britain. Potter's Sonata in E minor shows these influences alongside some inventive flourishes and dramatic turbulence, whereas the three expertly written Toccatas reveal the influence of Bach. Enigma Variations was written in the style of five named contemporary composers, an example of witty, ingenious, and warm-hearted composition. Luke Jones' recording of the Fantasia in G major on Mayr's Chi dice mal d'amore is available for streaming and download as digital single 9.70391.

"The musicians immerse the listener sometimes in a profound mental repose, sometimes in a very joyous and dynamic ambience. This strongly melodious and frequently virtuosic music is pure velvet for the ears." - "MB", Pizzicato, January 2002

"The recorded sound is good and warm, and generous to the (already heavy) instrumental playing." - Alison Bullock International Record Review October 2001

"The playing of the Ensemble Accentus is excellent. The sound of the viol consort is gorgeous--rich and well balanced." - Peter Loewen, American Record Guide, Nov/Dec, 2001

"Thomas Wimmer, the only member of the Ensemble Accentus to be named by Naxos, writes the excellent programme notes to this most enjoyable recording... The Charles V palace is an extraordinary piece of architecture, a circular court in a square building superbly appropriate for music and drama. Cabezon must have known this building intimately. His surviving music however is entirely for keyboard, and on many other recordings where he has so often been anthologised, it is the occasional harpsichord work, which makes an appearance. Normally it is the same pieces like the 'Pavana Italiana', or the 'Diferencias sobre el canto del Caullero'. Yet this palace contained musicians of all types, and that included instrumentalists... There is no doubt that Naxos Early Music department is striking out into some fascinating areas, and they have found fine musicians to take us into some exciting repertoire. Highly recommended." - Musicweb.vavo.com (Gary Higginson), 28th June