This release from Cologne-based ensemble Exquisite Noyse explores the diverse and colorful musical world into which the violin was born- anonymous dances, arrangements and improvisations, instrumental renditions of vocal works including beautiful and haunting madrigals, chansons and motets by Arcadelt, Janequin, Josquin and Verdelot. This music of the Renaissance is brought to life in a very special way. Exquisite Noyse performs on instruments of the violin family and a Renaissance triple harp, giving life to a pivotal and important repertoire. Their choice of music, instruments, and performance techniques conjure an image of the violin as a new technology in a world undergoing radical musical changel. The violin’s earliest voice leaps off the strings and across the centuries to new ears. The mission of Exquisite Noyse is to work with the repertoire, performance techniques and instruments of the Renaissance creatively and imaginatively in order to reproduce the surprising and fresh sound the violin family made when it was still a new technical achievement in a time groundbreaking changes in music.