Brecon Baroque is one of the leading groups in Britain devoting itself to Baroque secular music. It was patterned by violinist and leader Rachel Podger on the secular coffee house ensembles of Bach's and Telemann's day, specifically on the so-called Café Zimmermann ensemble. It generally performs with one instrument per part (which may have been true of Bach's Café Zimmermann orchestra as well), but has expanded to small-orchestra size when the repertory merits it. Brecon Baroque's first album, a collection of Bach violin concertos featuring Podger, appeared on Channel Classics in 2010, and the group has continued to record for that label. It has succeeded in winning critical acclaim for fresh approaches to familiar repertory. ~ James Manheim