Musicke & Myth: Music for 2 Lyra Viols

On this CD:

1. Musicke of Sundrie Kindes Cate of Bardie - The Queenes Jig, for two Lyra Viols
Composed by Thomas Ford
Performed by Jane Achtman

2. Musicke of Sundrie Kindes Paven IV - M. Maynes Choice, for two Lyra Viols
Composed by Thomas Ford
Performed by Jane Achtman

3. Lessons for 1, 2 and 3 viols (1609) Almaine, for two Lyra Viols
Composed by Alfonso (ii) Ferrabosco
Performed by Jane Achtman

4. Lessons for 1, 2 and 3 viols (1609) Coranto, for two Lyra Viols
Composed by Alfonso (ii) Ferrabosco
Performed by Jane Achtman

5. Musicke of Sundrie Kindes And if you do touch me ile crie - Sir Richard Tichbournes toy, for two Lyra Viols
Composed by Thomas Ford
Performed by Jane Achtman

6. Captain Humes Poeticall Musicke, London 1607 A Spanish Humour - The Lord Hayes favores, for two Lyra Viols
Composed by Tobias Hume
Performed by Jane Achtman

7. Captain Humes Poeticall Musicke, London 1607 The Virgines muse - The Lady Arbellaes favores, for two Lyra Viols
Composed by Tobias Hume
Performed by Jane Achtman

8. Captain Humes Poeticall Musicke, London 1607 Musicke and Mirth - The Lady Hattons delight, for two Lyra Viols
Composed by Tobias Hume
Performed by Jane Achtman

9. Musicke of Sundrie Kindes Paven I - M. Southcotes Paven, for two Lyra Viols
Composed by Thomas Ford
Performed by Jane Achtman

10. Musicke of Sundrie Kindes Galiard II - M. Westovers farewell, for two Lyra Viols
Composed by Thomas Ford
Performed by Jane Achtman

11. Lessons for 1, 2 and 3 viols (1609) Almaine, for two Lyra Viols
Composed by Alfonso (ii) Ferrabosco
Performed by Jane Achtman

12. Musicke of Sundrie Kindes The wild goose chase - Sir John Philpots delight, for two Lyra Viols
Composed by Thomas Ford
Performed by Jane Achtman

13. Musicke of Sundrie Kindes The Baggepipes - Sir Charles Howards delight, for two Lyra Viols
Composed by Thomas Ford
Performed by Jane Achtman

14. Captain Humes Poeticall Musicke, London 1607 The pashion of Musicke - Sir Christopher Hattons choice, for two Lyra Viols and Descant Viol
Composed by Tobias Hume
Performed by Jane Achtman

15. Captain Humes Poeticall Musicke, London 1607 A mery conceit - The Q, delight, for two Lyra Viols
Composed by Tobias Hume
Performed by Jane Achtman

16. Captain Humes Poeticall Musicke, London 1607 The King of Denmarkes health, for two Lyra Viols
Composed by Tobias Hume
Performed by Jane Achtman

17. Musicke of Sundrie Kindes Paven VII - Sir Richard Westons delight, for two Lyra Viols
Composed by Thomas Ford
Performed by Jane Achtman

18. Lessons for 1, 2 and 3 viols (1609) Galiard, for two Lyra Viols
Composed by Alfonso (ii) Ferrabosco
Performed by Jane Achtman

19. Musicke of Sundrie Kindes A Pill to purge Melancholie - M. Richard Martins Thumpe, for two Lyra Viols
Composed by Thomas Ford
Performed by Jane Achtman

20. Musicke of Sundrie Kindes A Snatch and away - Sir John Paulets toy, for two Lyra Viols
Composed by Thomas Ford
Performed by Jane Achtman

21. Oh the bonny Christ - Church Bells, for 2 viols & bass viol (Playford, 1682)
Composed by Anonymous
Performed by Jane Achtman

Tracks:

First Booke Of Songes: I. Unquiet Thoughts
First Booke Of Songes: II. Who Ever Thinks Or Hopes Of Love
First Booke Of Songes: III. My Thoughts Are Wing'd With Hopes
First Booke Of Songes: IV. If My Complaints Could Passions Move
First Booke Of Songes: V. Can She Excuse My Wrongs
First Booke Of Songes: VI. Now, O Now, I Needs Must Part
First Booke Of Songes: VII. Dear, If You Change
First Booke Of Songes: VIII. Burst Fourth My Tears
First Booke Of Songes: IX. Go Crystal Tears
First Booke Of Songes: X. Think'st Thou Then By Thy Feigning
First Booke Of Songes: XI. Come Away, Come Sweet Love
First Booke Of Songes: XII. Rest Awhile, You Cruel Cares
First Booke Of Songes: XIII. Sleep, Wayward Thoughts
First Booke Of Songes: XIV. All Ye, Whom Love Or Fortune Hath Betray'd
First Booke Of Songes: XV. Wilt Thou Unkind Thus Reave Me
First Booke Of Songes: XVI. Would My Conceit
First Booke Of Songes: XVII. Come Again: Sweet Love Doth Now Invite
First Booke Of Songes: XVIII. His Golden Locks
First Booke Of Songes: XIX. Awake, Sweet Love
First Booke Of Songes: XX. Come, Heavy Sleep
First Booke Of Songes: XXI. Away With These Self-Loving Lads

Tracks:

Second Booke Of Songs: I. I Saw My Lady Weep
Second Booke Of Songs: II. Flow My Tears
Second Booke Of Songs: III. Sorrow, Stay
Second Booke Of Songs: IV. Die Not Before Thy Day
Second Booke Of Songs: V. Mourn, Mourn, Day Is With Darkness Fled
Second Booke Of Songs: VI. Time's Eldest Son
Second Booke Of Songs: VII. Then Sit Thee Down
Second Booke Of Songs: VIII. When Others Sing Venite
Second Booke Of Songs: IX. Praise Blindness Eyes
Second Booke Of Songs: X. O Sweet Woods
Second Booke Of Songs: XI. If Floods Of Tears
Second Booke Of Songs: XII. Fine Knacks For Ladies
Second Booke Of Songs: XIII. Now Cease My Wand'ring Eyes
Second Booke Of Songs: XIV. Come Ye Heavy States Of Night
Second Booke Of Songs: XV. White As Lilies Was Her Face
Second Booke Of Songs: XVI. Woeful Heart
Second Booke Of Songs: XVII. A Shepherd In A Shade
Second Booke Of Songs: XVIII. Faction That Ever Dwells
Second Booke Of Songs: XIX. Shall I Sue
Second Booke Of Songs: XX. Toss Not My Soul
Second Booke Of Songs: XXI. Clear Or Cloudy
Second Booke Of Songs: XXII. Humour Say What Mak'st Thou Here

Tracks:

Third Booke Of Songs 1603: I. Farewell, Too Fair
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: II. Time Stands Still
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: III. Behold A Wonder Here
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: IV. Daphne Was Not So Chaste
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: V. Me, Me, And None But Me
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: VI. When Phoebus First Did Daphne Love
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: VII. Say, Love, If Ever Thou Didst Find
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: VIII. Flow Not So Fast, Ye Fountains
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: IX. What If I Never Speed?
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: X. Love Stood Amazed
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XI. Lend Your Ears To My Sorrow
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XII. By A Fountain Where I Lay
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XIII. O What Hath Overwrought
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XIV. Farewell, Unkind
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XV. Weep You No More, Sad Fountains
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XVI. Fie On This Feigning!
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XVII. I Must Complain
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XVIII. It Was A Time When Silly Bees
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XIX. The Lowest Trees Have Tops
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XX. What Poor Astronomers Are They
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XXI. Come When I Call

Tracks:

A Pilgrimes Solace: I. Disdain Me Still
A Pilgrimes Solace: II. Sweet Stay Awhile
A Pilgrimes Solace: III. To Ask For All Thy Love
A Pilgrimes Solace: IV. Love, Those Beams That Breed
A Pilgrimes Solace: V. Shall I Strive Wih Words To Move?
A Pilgrimes Solace: VI. Were Every Thought An Eye
A Pilgrimes Solace: VII. Stay, Time, Awhile Thy Flying
A Pilgrimes Solace: VIII. Tell Me, True Love
A Pilgrimes Solace: IX. Go Nightly Cares
A Pilgrimes Solace: X. From Silent Night
A Pilgrimes Solace: XI. Lasso vita mia
A Pilgrimes Solace: XII. In This Trembling Shadow Cast
A Pilgrimes Solace: XIII. If That A Sinner's Sights
A Pilgrimes Solace: XIV. Thou Mighty God
A Pilgrimes Solace: XV. When David's Life
A Pilgrimes Solace: XVI. When The Poor Cripple

Tracks:

A Pilgrimes Solace: XVII. Where Sin Sore Wounding
A Pilgrimes Solace: XVIII. My Heart And Tongue Were Twins
A Pilgrimes Solace: XIX. Up Merry Mates
A Pilgrimes Solace: XX. Welcome Black Night
A Pilgrimes Solace: XXI. Cease, Cease These False Sports
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Lachrimae Pavane
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Can Shee
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Paduana
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: The Frogge
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Frog's Galliard
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Pavana And Galiarda
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Paduana Lachrymae
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Can She Excuse
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Pavion Solus cum sola
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Dowland's Almayne
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Piper's Paven And Galliard
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Pavan Lachrymae

Tracks:

Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: I. The Lamentation Of A Sinner
Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: II. Domine ne in furore
Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: III. Miserere mei Deus
Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: IV. The Humble Suit Of A Sinner
Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: V. The Humble Complaint Of A Sinner
Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: VI. De profundis
Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: VII. Domine exaudi
Lachrimae: Lachrimae Antiquae
Lachrimae: Lachrimae Antiquae Novae
Lachrimae: Lachrimae Gementes
Lachrimae: Lachrimae Tristes
Lachrimae: Lachrimae Coactae
Lachrimae: Lachrimae Amantis
Lachrimae: Lachrimae Verae
Lachrimae: Mr. John Langton's Pavan
Lachrimae: Mr. Nicholas Gryffith His Galiard
Lachrimae: Sir John Souch His Galiard
Lachrimae: Semper Dowland Semper Dolens
Lachrimae: Mr. Giles Hobies Galiard
Lachrimae: The King Of Denmark's Galiard
Lachrimae: Sir Henry Umpton's Funerall
Lachrimae: Mr. Henry Noell His Galiard
Lachrimae: The Earl Of Essex Galiard
Lachrimae: Mr. Bucton His Galiard
Lachrimae: Mr. George Whitehead His Almand
Lachrimae: Captain Digorie Piper His Galiard
Lachrimae: Mr. Thomas Collier His Galiard
Lachrimae: Mrs. Nichols Almand

Tracks:

Sacred Songs: Sorrow, Come!
Sacred Songs: I Shame At Mine Unworthiness
Sacred Songs: An Heart That's Broken And Contrite
Psalms: Psalm 100: All People That On Earth Do Dwell
Psalms: Psalm 38: Put Me Not To Rebuke O Lord
Psalms: Psalm 130: Lord To Thee I Make My Moan
Psalms: Psalm 104: My Soul Praise The Lord
Psalms: Psalm 100: All People That On Earth Do Dwell
Psalms: Psalm 134: Behold And Have Regard
A Prayer For The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty
Instrumental Music: Solus cum sola pavan
Instrumental Music: Lachrimae
Instrumental Music: Galliard
Instrumental Music: Pipers Pavan
Instrumental Music: Lachrimae
Instrumental Music: Lady Rich Galliard
Instrumental Music: Earl Of Essex Galliard
Instrumental Music: If My Complaints
Instrumental Music: Lachrimae Doolande
Instrumental Music: Lord Willoughbie's Welcome Home
Instrumental Music: My Lord Chamberlaine His Galliard
Instrumental Music: Comagain
Instrumental Music: Pavan Lachrymae
Instrumental Music: Sorrow Stay

Tracks:

Lute Music: Preludium
Lute Music: Lachrimae
Lute Music: Can She Excuse
Lute Music: Dr. Case's Pavan
Lute Music: Melancholy Galliard
Lute Music: Sir John Smith, His Almain
Lute Music: Fantasia
Lute Music: A Dream
Lute Music: Almain
Lute Music: The Queen's Galliard
Lute Music: Coranto
Lute Music: Resolution
Lute Music: Mrs. Vaux Galliard
Lute Music: Almain
Lute Music: Mr. Dowland's MIdnight
Lute Music: Fantasia
Lute Music: Loth To Depart
Lute Music: The Most Sacred Queen Elizabeth, Her Galliard
Lute Music: The Earl Of Essex, His Galliard
Lute Music: Pavan
Lute Music: John Dowland's Galliard
Lute Music: Aloe
Lute Music: The Lady Clifton's Spirit
Lute Music: What If A Day
Lute Music: Mr. Giles Hobie's Galliard
Lute Music: Come Away (Song arrangement)
Lute Music: Galliard
Lute Music: Fancy (Fantasia)

Tracks:

Lute Music: Lachrimae (Basic Version)
Lute Music: Galliard To Lachrimae
Lute Music: [Jig]
Lute Music: Galliard On 'Wasingham'
Lute Music: Complaint (Ballad Setting)
Lute Music: Mignarda (Galliard)
Lute Music: Semper Dowland Semper Dolens (Pavan)
Lute Music: The Frog Galliard
Lute Music: A Fancy (Fantasia)
Lute Music: Fancy (Fantasia)
Lute Music: Piper's Pavan
Lute Music: Captain Digorie Piper's Galliard
Lute Music: Lady Laiton's Almain
Lute Music: Dowland's Galliard
Lute Music: Dowland's First Galliard
Lute Music: Tarleton's Jig
Lute Music: Walsingham (ballad Setting)
Lute Music: Lord Willoughbie's Welcome Home (Ballad Setting)
Lute Music: Sir Henry Guilforde, His Almain
Lute Music: Pavan (Related To 'Lachrimae')
Lute Music: Mr. Langton's Galliard
Lute Music: Mrs. Clifton's Almain
Lute Music: Galliard
Lute Music: Lady Hunsdon's Puffe (Almain)
Lute Music: Galliard
Lute Music: Go From My Window (Ballad Setting)
Lute Music: Fancy (Fantasia)

Tracks:

Lute Music: Pavana Johan Douland
Lute Music: Mrs. Brigide Fleetwood's Pavan (Solus sine sola)
Lute Music: La mia Barbara
Lute Music: Sir Henry Umpton's Funeral (Pavan)
Lute Music: Lachrimae
Lute Music: Farewell Fancy (Chromatic Fantasia)
Lute Music: Farewell (On The 'In Nomine' Theme)
Lute Music: The King of Denmark's Galliard
Lute Music: Mrs. Vaux's Jig
Lute Music: Mrs. Nichol's Almain
Lute Music: Galliard
Lute Music: Lord Strang's March
Lute Music: Mrs. Winter's Jump
Lute Music: Can She Excuse (Galliard)
Lute Music: The Shoemaker's Wife, A Toy
Lute Music: Mrs. Norrish's Delight
Lute Music: Galliard
Lute Music: Mrs. White's Thing (Almain)
Lute Music: Mrs. White's Nothing
Lute Music: The Frog Galliard
Lute Music: Solus cum sola
Lute Music: The Lord Viscount Lisle, His Galliard
Lute Music: Orlando Sleepeth (Ballad Setting)
Lute Music: Robin (Ballad Setting)
Lute Music: Galliard (On A Galliard By Daniel Bacheler)
Lute Music: Forlorn Hope Fancy (Chromatic Fantasia)

Tracks:

Lute Music: The Lady Russell's Pavan
Lute Music: Fancy (Fantasia)
Lute Music: Sir John Langton's Pavan
Lute Music: Earl Of Derby, His Galliard
Lute Music: A Coy Toy
Lute Music: Fortune My Foe
Lute Music: [Almain]
Lute Music: Mr. Knight's Galliard
Lute Music: Sir John Souch His Galliard
Lute Music: Tarletone's Riserrectione
Lute Music: The Lady Rich, Her Galliard
Consort Music: Lachrimae Pavan
Consort Music: Can She Excuse Galliard
Consort Music: Captain Piper's Pavan And Galliard
Consort Music: The Frog Galliard
Consort Music: Round Battell Galliard
Consort Music: Fortune My Foe
Consort Music: Dowland's First Galliard
Consort Music: Katherine Darcie's Galliard
Consort Music: Tarleton's Jigge
Consort Music: Almain a 2
Consort Music: Mistress Nichols Almain a 2
Fullsack And Hildebrandt: Auserlesener Paduanen und Galliarden: Susanna Fair (Galliard)
Haussmann: Rest von polnischen und andern Tanzen: Mistress Nichols Alman a 5
Opusculum: Mr. John Langton Pavan And Galliard
Opusculum: La mia Barbara Pavan and Galliard
Opusculum: Lachrimae Antiquae Novae Pavan and Galliard

Tracks:

Consort Music: Mistress NIchols Almain
Consort Music: Volta a 4 ('Ioh. Douland')
Consort Music: Were Every Thought an Eye
Consort Music: Lady If You So Spite Me
Consort Music: Pavan a 4
A Musicall Banquet: I. My Heavy Sprite (Anthony Holborne)
A Musicall Banquet: II. Change Thy Mind Since She Doth Change (Richard Martin)
A Musicall Banquet: III. O Eyes, Leave Off Your Weeping (Robert Hales)
A Musicall Banquet: IV. Go, My Flock, Go Get You Hence (Anon.)
A Musicall Banquet: V. O Dear Life, When Shall It Be? (Anon.)
A Musicall Banquet: VI. To Plead My Faith (Daniel Bacheler)
A Musicall Banquet: VII. In A Grove Most Rich Of Shade (Guillaume Tessier)
A Musicall Banquet: VIII. Far From Triumphing Court
A Musicall Banquet: IX. Lady, If You So Spite Me
A Musicall Banquet: X. In Darkness Let Me Dwell
A Musicall Banquet: XI. Si le parler et le silence (Pierre Guedron)
A Musicall Banquet: XII. Ce penser qui sans fin tirannise ma vie (Pierre Guedron)
A Musicall Banquet: XIII. Vous que le Bonheur rappelle (Pierre Guedron)
A Musicall Banquet: XIV. Passava Amor su arco desarmado (Anon. Spanish)
A Musicall Banquet: XV. Sta notte mi sognava (Anon. Italian)
A Musicall Banquet: XVI. Vuestros ojos tienen d'Amor (Anon. Spanish)
A Musicall Banquet: XVII. Se di farmi morire (Domenico Maria Megli)
A Musicall Banquet: XVIII. Dovro dunque morire? (Giulio Caccini)
A Musicall Banquet: XIX. Amarilli mia bella (Giulio Caccini)
A Musicall Banquet: XX. O bella piu (Anon, Italian)

Customer Reviews:

A musical treasure-box.......2006-09-10

Both the music and this actual product are masterpieces. John Dowland's collected works here - covering 12 compact discs - exhibit the depth and power of this composer, a composer who many now regard as suffering from clinical depression. I doubt that the issue of the diagnosis of Dowland's depression can ever be settled, however, it is certainly obvious from his music, so completely on display here, that he was a man with very dark depths and corners in his mind. Dowland's various manifestations and "takes" on his own tune, "Flow my tears"/"Lachrimae" are here. This tune has haunted me ever since I first heard it when I was a child. It seems to sum up Dowland's feelings - at least Dowland seems to have thought so.

The First, Second, Third and Fourth Bookes of Songes, A Musicall Banquet, the keyboard transcriptions, all the lute music, consort music are here and virtually everything else written or supposedly written by John Dowland. Anthony Rooley and The Consort of Musicke perform this music with style and feeling throughout. This 12 CD set is something of a monument to the ensemble - I only wish they'd finished their collection of Monteverdi madrigals, which was equally good (La Venexiana are currently doing a magnificent job of recording all Monteverdi's books of madrigals for the GLOSSA label).

This is an expensive set, however, you will probably never need to buy another John Dowland CD again after buying and listening to this collection.

I bought this CD set on a mild Summer evening of 1998 and listened to it while sitting in my sun room - which a glorious orange sunset in progress, and a glass of wine. It brought back so many memories.

a beautiful journey into melancholy.......2001-06-15

I'm amazed at how many people tend to associate John Dowland's music with a tragic sense of drama. While no doubt this is art highly based on sadness, the "tragic" sense of it is more a legacy from the Romantic period. During the Renaissance, however, sadness was undestood as a very aesthetic way of approaching life. That is also the reason why Shakespeare's tragedies appear more sophisticated than his comedies.

Tracks:

First Pavan And Galliard
Fanasy In C Major
Allemande (Italian Ground)
Hughe Ashton's Ground
Sixth Pavan And Galliard
'Lord Of Salsibury' - Pavan And Galliard
A Voluntary
Sellinger's Round
Fantasia In D

Customer Reviews:

Glenn Gould's strange genius, Sony's parsimony.......2007-03-12

Glenn Gould was a master of slow tempos, holding long melodic and contrapuntal lines together without using the damper pedal or any obvious pianistic tricks, and his extraordinary way with simple keyboard pieces shines through on this disc.

And even though these compositions are light stuff compared to the towering Bach masterpieces he recorded, there is plenty to enjoy here. And don't feel bad that Byrd and Gibbons are not played on a virginal. Nearly an hour of twanging away at these intimate, charming and modest pieces might drive an earnest modern listener crazy. Feel good about the heft and color of the modern Steinway. Gould brings body and warmth to what might otherwise be very minor pieces.

The "bonus" Sweelinck piece is further evidence of Gould's genius, but the sound quality is absolutely atrocious--taken from Canadian television in 1964 it sounds like something from a basement behind the Iron Curtain in the darkest, most technologically challenged days of Stalin's Cold War.

These are fine recordings that owe everything to Gould's eccentric and pure musical vision, but it must be stated that Sony Classical has hardly been generous with these reissues. The liner notes to this disc archly refer to "Columbia" in quotes, as if the record company that defined an entire era in classical music, comprehensively recording Bruno Walter, Leonard Bernstein, George Szell, Igor Stravinsky, and Glenn Gould, among countless other icons of the era, were a fictional bygone relic that modern day corporate record executives somehow have to refer to "in quotes."

One can hardly imagine that a perfectionist and technophile like Gould would allow such a poorly reproduced cut to be tacked on to one of the records he so lovingly produced.

Gould has never played so sublimely.....Sweelinck is amazing!.......2006-09-08

These recordings are absolute gems. In fact I daresay nothing like these performances has come before nor will come again. Gould is a genius, and the music he performs is timeless as well as historical. One can listen to this music and be transported to the 16th century, such is the power, beauty and effectiveness of Gould's interpretations. I cannot say enough of Gibbons and Sweelink, these masters are terribly underrated and unheard. Gould's touch is magical, technical virtuosity meets a true anachronistic artist. To the naysayers I say they have ears to ear yet do not hear, or in one ear and out the other. Anyone sensitive to true art will appreciate this music. Gould's performances and the composed music transcends banal quibbles like "he plays it too fast", or "it should be played on a virginal". Long live Byrd, Gibbons, Sweelinck and Gould!

Enraptured visions!.......2006-02-07

The interpretative art of Glenn Gould reached sidereal dimensions in this occasion playing the British virginalists. Gould made the complete journey and ellaborated a fine and fascinating portrait about the moods, mesmerizing approach, creating a spelling atmsophere around every single piece of this treasured album.

For all those who admire and still remaind his genius, this album is among his multiple golden recordings a special value.
Inspiered and fine recordings that will reward even the most exigenet listener.

A must-buy.

Brilliant.......2006-01-08

I echo the Spotlight review of J. Anderson, above, who has written eloquently. This music is a transporting experience.

Another Remarkable GG Recording..........2004-05-24

As a GG fan for over 30 years, I thought I knew most of his work; Sony, however, has issued more than was previously available--in a most excellent form. And so, I have the pleasure of discovering yet more wonderful GG works.

I had previously heard of the infamous Byrd/Gibbons recordings in the later 1970s; however, I had never actually heard the recordings themselves (--somehow the LP escaped me). Anyway, I am pleased to announce that this is another remarkable GG recording, and the infamy is due only to critics with a lack of understanding.

Tracks:

Amor Vittorioso
Lirum Bililirum
Il Bianco E Dolce Cigno
La Bella Franceschina
Ultima Mei Sospiri
Alla Cazza
Or Si Rallegri Il Cielo
Fine Knacks For Ladies
Who Made Thee, Hob, Forsake The Plough
Of All The Birds That I Do Know
Too Much I Once Lamented
Fair Phyllis I Saw
The Silver Swan
Now Is The Month Of Maying
La Guerre
La, La, La, Je Ne L'ose Dire
Bon Jour: Et Puis, Quelles Nouvelles
Mignonne, Allons Voir Si La Rose
Il Est Bel Et Bon
Margot Labourez Les Vignes
Un Gentil Armoureux
Faulte D'Argent
La Tricotea Samartin La Vea
Triste Estaba El Rey David
Cucu, Cucu!
Tres Morillas M'enamoran
Fatal La Parte
La Bomba
Tanzen Und Springen
Vitrum Nostrum Gloriosum
Ach Elsein, Liebes Elselein
Ach, Weh Des Leiden
Das G'Laut Zu Speyer
Herzliebstes Bild

Customer Reviews:

Ever wondered what was before Bach, Lully, or Palestrina?.......2007-04-29

During the days of the Renaissance, the madrigal was one
of the most popular musical forms and outputs. The King's Singers, a modern-day all male vocal group, demonstrate the authentic sound of which these 34 chosen madrigals may have been performed. In the Renaissance, in place of sopranos and altos, there were countertenors (men who sang falsetto in a feminine range). That's what these guys do; just listen to the first few and you'll automatically be transported back to this magical and sort of other-worldly time. If you've been to Renaissance fairs, it will make you think of those, too.

The King's Singers offer 34 well-chosen madrigals from composers like John Dowland, Hans Leo Hassler, Clement Jannequin and some composers who wished to remain anonymous. They are grouped by the different languages to show that the madrigal wasn't just the rage in Italy where it had originated but at various other places all over Europe, the hub of the music world. The Italian ones come first, then in English, French, Spanish and German. The best one in the set is "La Guerre" which runs 6 minutes, and is an incredible vocal showpiece. It's even very funny at times.

If you want to hear exactly how Renaissance madrigals sound, this is the real deal.

Average customer rating:

The John Dowland Collection

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

All At Once Well Met: English Madrigals; The King's Singers
Songs from the Labyrinth (Music by John Dowland)

ASIN: B000LSA7WC
Release Date: 2007-04-10

Tracks:

Lachrimae Antiquae
If My Complaints Could Passions Move
Can She Excuse My Wrongs
Come Away, Come Sweet Love
My Lady Hunsdon's Allmande
A Piece Without Title
The Shoemaker's Wife: A Toy
Lachrimae Antiquae Novac
Come Again: Sweet Love Doth Now Invite
Come, Heavy Sleep
Mr. Dowland's Midnight
Sir John Smith, His Almain
Semper Dowland Semper Dolens
Lachrimae Gementes
I Saw My Lady Weep
Flow My Tears
Fine Knacks For Ladies
Shall I Sue
Lachrimae Tristes

Tracks:

Me, Me, And None But Me
Forlorn Hope Fancy
Weep You No More, Sad Fountains
Lachrimae Coactae
Go Nightly Cares
The Right Honourable Ferdinando, Earl Of Derby, His Galliard
The Most Sacred Queen Elizabeth, Her Galliard
Tell Me, True Love
Lachrimae Amantis
In Darkness Let Me Dwell
A Fantasia
My Lord Chamberlain His Galliard
Far From Triumphing Court
I Shame At Mine Unworthiness
Lachrimae Verae

Average customer rating:

Interesting music interestingly sung
The marriage of skill and magic
There is no such thing as too much Emma Kirkby
emma's pure and magical voice.
Voice of an Angel!

The Emma Kirkby Collection
Claudio Monteverdi , George Frideric Handel , Johann Sebastian Bach , Sigismondo D'India , John Dowland , Guillaume de Machaut , Hildegard of Bingen , Thomas Campion , Henry Lawes , Henry Purcell , Michael East , The Consort of Musicke , Taverner Consort Players , Roy Goodman , Anthony Rooley , Emma Kirkby , Christopher Page , Denys Darlow , Andrew Parrott , Parley of Instruments , London Handel Orchestra , Gothic Voices , David Reichenberg , and Instrumental Ensemble
Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Partsongs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Virelais | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Kirkby, Emma | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Emma Kirkby sings Handel, Arne, Haydn & Mozart
Emma Kirkby - Handel Opera Arias / Goodman, Brandenburg Consort
A Purcell Songbook [Australia]
Emma Kirkby - Handel Opera Arias and Overtures · 2 / Brandenburg Consort · Goodman
William Byrd: Consort Songs

ASIN: B000002ZJG
Release Date: 1993-11-12

Tracks:

Confiterbor tibi, Domine (Psalm 110)
Now Hath Flora Robbed Her Bowers
Stript Of Their Green Our groves Appear
Voglio di vita uscir
Piangono al pianger mio
Flow Not So Fast, Ye Fountains
Foy Porter
Columba aspexit
Sheep May Safely Graze
Time Stands Still
Diana
Quel squardo sdegnosetto
Maledetto sia l'aspetto
The Lark
Move Now With Measured Sound
Sharp Thorns Despising
Sich tiben im Lieben
You Meaner Beauties Of The Night

Customer Reviews:

Interesting music interestingly sung.......2007-02-01

Much of this vocal music is from an era with which I am unfamiliar. It ranges from the work of Hildegarde of Bergen (1098-1179) to Handel (1685-1759); obviously, this album covers much territory! Emma Kirkby displays her virtuosity on this CD. The notes from the CD say that "One of the favorite adjectives used by critics. . .is the word 'celestial.'" At a later point, the notes speak of Kirkby further: "There is a freshness, an openness, an honesty about her voice. . ."

Some comments on works randomly selected.

Monteverdi's "Confitebor tibi, Domine." Here, Kirkby displays a clean light voice. She exhibits a spirited "Gloria Patri" with some spare but interesting ornamentation.

Campion's "Now hath Flora robbed her bowers." This cut shows off to good effect the agility in her voice.

John Dowland, "Flow not so fast, ye fountains." Here is displayed her smooth voice; her singing flows smoothly from one note to the next. There is a poignancy in her singing on this piece.

Guillaume de Machaut, "Foy porter." She treats the redoubtable de Machaut well; his works are some of the best of his time. This is smoothly song and does his work justice.

Hildegarde of Birgen, "Columba aspexit." This is the oldest composition on this CD by far. The work is spare, but well sung. There is a hypnotic quality to the work and Kirkby sings it well.

Lawes, "The Lark." Again, nice agility of her voice is displayed.

Other compositions on this CD are by Purcell, J. S. Bach, Sigismondo d'India, and Handel.

All in all, a nice sampling of the work of Emma Kirkby. I was not much familiar with her work before listening to this CD, but I am delighted that I did purchase this work.

The marriage of skill and magic.......2007-01-12

Ms. Kirby's voice is limpid, exquisitely pitched, strong, and yet beautifully refined. Her command of her voice is extraordinary, with phrasing, delicate embellishments and what I think are some vocal cadenzas, all showing the skill and craft of an artist who has brought her artistry to its highest state. But she makes her artistry sound so easy, so natural: nothing of bravura, nothing forced here. The selections are wonderfully chosen; together, they give us the whole range of early to late Baroque, in every mood. Each listening refreshes the spirit. What an artist!

There is no such thing as too much Emma Kirkby.......2002-07-16

The only defect in this disk is that it isn't a three or four disk set. Some people don't appreciate her beautiful voice and I feel sorry for them. I first heard her voice live in a concert here in Ann Arbor in December of 1980 and she stunned me. The memory of her beautiful voice still lives in my mind and heart.

Well, this disk gives us 18 selections from a number of different composers from the Baroque. Every one of them is a treasure and has its own charms. I can't pick a favorite, but I can say that each of these pieces show off her voice and singing style in different ways.

Yes, I wish she had included more Purcell and something even nicer than what we have on track 3, but what would I give up? Well, that is where I say we need this to have been a two or three disk collection.

You won't go wrong with this wonderful disk!

emma's pure and magical voice........2000-10-16

This cd shows Emma's versatility as a Baroque and early music performer. Her pure voice matches the music so well. I really enjoy the song "You meaner beauties of the night." This is only one among many cd's which shows Emma's great voice. I highly recommend the Emma Kirkby collection.

Voice of an Angel!.......1999-07-20

One of the most beautiful angelic voice in the world! But I don't think this collection shows her best recording pieces.

Average customer rating:

Fine recital of neglected composer
Good Performance but the content?

Campion: Lute Music

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Dowland: Flow My Tears and Other Lute Songs

ASIN: B00000IXIZ
Release Date: 1999-06-01

Tracks:

Come Let Us Sound With Melody
Tune Thy Musicke To Thy Hart
Come You Pretty False-Ey'D Wanton
There Is None, O None But You
Sweet Exclude Mee Not
I Care Not For These Ladies
Though You Are Yoong And I Am Olde
Fire, Fire, Fire, Fire!
What Then Is Love But Mourning?
Shall I Come, Sweet Love, To Thee?
Beauty, Since You So Much Desire
What Is It All That Men Possesse?
The Sypres Curten Of The Night
Jacke And Jone They Think No Ill
It Fell On A Sommers Daie
When To Her Lute Corrina Sings
My Sweetest Lesbia
Her Rosie Cheekes, Her Ever Smiling Eyes
Faire, If You Expect Admiring
There Is A Garden In Her Face
Author Of Light
Never Weather-Beaten Saile
Most Sweet And Pleasing Are Thy Wayes
To Musicke Bent Is My Retyred Minded
Thou Joy'St, Fond Boy
Turne All Thy Thoughts To Eyes
Vaile, Love Mine Eyes
Miserere My Maker

Customer Reviews:

Fine recital of neglected composer.......2000-10-29

I'd agree with the earlier reviewer that this CD is for those who have already tried Dowland. However Dowland has been fortunate in the recording studio and Campion much neglected (this appears to be the only disc dedicated to him currently available) so Naxos deserve our thanks for having brought Rickards and Linell back together for a second disc. What is particularly encouraging is to find a whole disc of songs, not just a few raisins in a cake of viol music which is how Dowland and his contemporaries are normally represented. Not that I've anything against mixed recitals - the collaborations of Fretwork with Red Byrd are beautiful - but it tends to be the same better known songs.

The first recordings of early English music on the Naxos label (I'm thinking of Summerly's earlier recordings of Byrd, Tomkins, Gibbons) lacked texts, that has been corrected in later releases, including both this disc (timing 52:52), and the earlier Rickards Dowland recital (8.553381, 1997, timing 74:08). Sound on both discs is more than adequate.

Good Performance but the content?.......2000-02-01

I make no claims to being knowledable about the intricacies of this music. But if I were giving stars I'd give the performance four or five and the content...um...that's the hard part.

I bought this out of curiosity. Campion's lyrics turn up occasionally in anthologies of poetry and I was curious to hear the songs. I own Rickards and Linell's "Dowland: Flow my tears and other lute songs" and i play it often so I also wanted to know what Dowland's competition sounded like.

Firstly, the performance is of the same high standard as on the other disk. Which is good. Linell plays well and Rickards' voice is fine. The liner notes provide good background information as well as the words to the songs. The only real complaint I could have about the performance is probably related to production: The lute sounds small, thin and distant compared with, say, Bream's lute on "The golden age of English Lute music" or Lindberg's on "The complete solo lute music". This is true of the pair's Dowland recording as well but it may only be a drawback if you're trying to use the performances as a guide to playing the songs yourself. ( I was).

The real drawback to this recording though is the material. Play the Dowland and you're liable to find yourself humming odd snatches of the songs. Play the Campion and you're liable to have difficulty remembering any of the individual tunes. Nor do the lyrics redeem the music. He probably was a "better " lyric writer than Dowland (whatever that means) but music wise Dowland beats him hollow.

Tracks:

Madrigali guerrieri: Altri canti d'Amor: Sinfonia - Altri canti d'Amor
Madrigali guerrieri: Altri canti d'Amor: Tu Cui tessuta han di Cesare alloro
Madrigali guerrieri: Hor che'l ciel: Hor che'l ciel, e la terra, e'l vento tace
Madrigali guerrieri: Hor che'l ciel: Cosi sol d'una chiara fonte viva
Madrigali guerrieri: Gira il nemico insidioso
Madrigali guerrieri: Se vittorie si belle
Madrigali guerrieri: Armato il cor
Madrigali guerrieri: Ogni amante e guerrier
Madrigali guerrieri: Ogni amante e guerrier: Io che nell'otio naqui e d'otio vissi
Madrigali guerrieri: Ogni amante e guerrier: Ma per quel ampio Egeo spieghi le vele
Madrigali guerrieri: Ardo, ardo, avvampo
Madrigali guerrieri: Volgendo il ciel
Madrigali guerrieri: Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda: Tancredi, che Clorinda un homo stima
Madrigali guerrieri: Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda: Non schivar, non parar, non pur ritrarsi
Madrigali guerrieri: Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda: Tre volte il cavalier la donna stringe
Madrigali guerrieri: Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda: Torna l'ira nei cori, e li trasporta
Madrigali guerrieri: Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda: Amico, hai vinto: io ti perdon...perdona

Tracks:

Madrigali amorosi: Altri canti di Marte
Madrigali amorosi: Altri canti di Marte: Due begli occhi fur l'armi
Madrigali amorosi: Mentre vaga Angioletta
Madrigali amorosi: Ardo e scoprir
Madrigali amorosi: O sia tranquillo il mare
Madrigali amorosi: Ninfa, che scalza il piede
Madrigali amorosi: Dolcissimo uscignolo
Madrigali amorosi: Chi vol haver felice
Madrigali amorosi: Lamento della ninfa: Non havea Febo ancora
Madrigali amorosi: Lamento della ninfa: Amor, dicea, il ciel
Madrigali amorosi: Perche t'en fuggi, o Fillide
Madrigali amorosi: Non partir ritrosetta
Madrigali amorosi: Su, su, su, pastorelli vezzosi
Madrigali amorosi: Vago augelletto

Amazon.com

"Madrigali guerrieri et amorosi" ("Madrigals Warlike and Amorous") is how Claudio Monteverdi titled his eighth and largest book of madrigals--which was actually two volumes in one. The "warlike madrigals" (concerned largely with the "war of love") feature the "agitated style" Monteverdi pioneered: quick, almost nervous writing, lots of rapidly repeated notes, and more syllables than a Gilbert & Sullivan patter song. These works culminate in the famous short quasi-opera Il Combattimento de Tancredi e Clorinda. The "amorous madrigals" are no less ardent, but they are less, well, warlike--that is, more leisurely paced, with plenty of chromaticism, dissonant suspensions, and giddily virtuosic runs to depict the pain and excitement of love.

Anthony Rooley, Emma Kirkby, and the Consort of Musicke made these recordings in the early 1990s. While the performances were widely admired in their day, they're now universally considered (at least by those of us who actually spend time thinking about such things) to have been superseded by the remarkable work of Rinaldo Alessandrini and Concerto Italiano. It's true that some of the singing on the Consort's first disc is lackluster, but things perk right up with the young Paul Agnew's solo in Volgendo il ciel followed by an energetic Combattimento. Everyone's back in fine form for the "amorous" madrigals on the second disc; particularly notable are the virtuoso turns for Agnew, Andrew King, and Alan Ewing, as well as the Divine Miss Emma. Yes, Concerto Italiano is preferable if you can afford both of the full-price discs, but at the bargain price Virgin is charging for these reissues, you'll get more than your money's worth. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Mature Monteverdi at his best!.......2000-05-11

This interpetation of the 8th (and last) book of madrigals by Claudio Monteverdi is the best I've heard. Nine perfectly balanced voices with clear but restrained period instrumentation show off the music in its polyphonic and chromatic brilliance. Solo passages are sung with great attention to the phrasing and dynamic possibilities inherent in the score. The overall effect is one of intimate brilliance.

The enginnering of the recording was excellent. The only disapointment was a dearth of information about the text of the score.

Highly recommended!!

Monteverdi: Duets and Solos / Emma Kirkby-Evelyn Tubb
Average customer rating:

Wonderful music sung and played by wonderful musicians - ENJOY!

Masterful Monteverdi!

Monteverdi: Duets and Solos / Emma Kirkby-Evelyn Tubb

Manufacturer: Regis Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

A Purcell Songbook [Australia]

Monteverdi: Vespro della Beata Vergine 1610/Venetian Vespers

Honey From the Hive [Hybrid SACD]

Monteverdi: Ottavo Libro de' Madrigali, Vol.1

Monteverdi: Madrigals / Rooley, The Consort of Musicke

ASIN: B0000AL9DH
Release Date: 2003-07-09

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful music sung and played by wonderful musicians - ENJOY!.......2006-04-13

I am delighted this disk is back in print and recommend it to you wholeheartedly.

First, there is the music of Claudio Monteverdi, one of the greatest composers of all time. Born in 1567, he served as a chorister in his youth and entered the service of Duke Gonzaga of Mantua in 1590. He traveled with the Duke to other parts of Europe and after the turn of the century Monteverdi was one of those founding the movement to music that more directly expressed the emotion of the words being sung. It was a revolution that was also part of the founding of opera. While a few operas were written before Monteverdi's "Orfeo", it was his opera that is generally recognized as the first great operatic work and any listening to early opera usually leads to a reaffirmation of this view, even though the others are beautiful and certainly worth hearing.

In 1613 he became the maestro di capella at St. Mark's in Venice and his music was in tremendous demand. This disk includes several of his numbers for his wealthy patrons and several of his short works for the Church. These are all fine works and offer a great variety of affect and expression. Some are delightful and full of light, others are sad and have a tragic affect. You will enjoy them all and have your own favorites.

Kirkby and Tubb have sung together before and their voices work very well together. They each have solos on the disk and each shows the range of their talent and the beauty of their voices. I am a huge fan of both of these wonderful singers and delight in hearing them sing so wonderfully on this disk.

Rooley and his consort provide wonderful accompaniment appropriate to each number. On one you might have lutes, and chitarrone, another might have a harp, another violins or viol and another will be accompanied by organ. I love the tasteful and wonderful sound created by the accompanists to add to the beauty of the vocal lines and to bring the whole to a greater unity rather than simply providing supporting harmonies or getting too busy and cluttering things up.

Strongly recommended. Monteverdi, Kirky, Tubbs, Rooley et al, how can you go wrong?

Masterful Monteverdi!.......2005-03-19

Emma Kirkby and Evelyn Tubb with the Consort of Musicke directed by Anthony Rooley perform duets and solos by Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) in an acclaimed recording.

"This program is divided evenly between sacred and secular--and between sopranos Emma Kirkby and Evelyn Tubb, two of the finest Monteverdi singers alive. Each singer gets one sacred and one secular solo (the secular items are the "Lamento d'Arianna," done by Kirkby, and Penelope's lament from the opera Il Ritorno d'Ulisse, grippingly sung by Tubb); the rest of the program is a selection of madrigals and motets for two high voices. These ladies capture the gentle, glowing reverence of "O bone Jesu" as beautifully as they do the spirited coloratura brilliance of "O come sei gentile" and the cheerful simplicity of "Chiome d'oro"; their added ornaments are superb throughout. In short, this is as delightful a Monteverdi disc as you'll find anywhere." (Matthew Westphal - amazon.com)

The works on this recording:

1. Chiome d'oro, bel thesoro, duet (from Book 7), SV 143
2. O come sei gentile, caro augellino, duet (from Book 7), SV 120
3. Se pur destina e vole il cielo, solo (from Madrigals, Book 7), SV 142
4. Non è di gentil core chi non arde, duet (from Book 7), SV 118
5. Ohimè, dov'è il mio ben?, duet (from Book 7), SV 140
6. Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria, solo, SV 325 Lamento di Penelope; Di misera regina
7. Io son pur vezzosetta pastorella, duet (from Book 7), SV 121
8. Cantata Domino canticum novum, duet, SV 292
9. Sancta Maria, succurre miseris, duet, SV 328
10. Laudate Dominum in sanctis eius, solo (from Selva morale e spirituale), SV 287
11. Venite, sitientes ad aquas, duet
12. Exulta filia Sion, solo, SV 303
13. O bone Jesu, O piissime Jesu, duet, SV 313
14. Iste confessor, duet

Music Divine: 1662 Book of Songs for 3-6 Parts

Average customer rating:

Another fantasic recording

Music Divine: 1662 Book of Songs for 3-6 Parts
Tomkins , and I Fagiolini
Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00007BGXY
Release Date: 2003-01-21

Customer Reviews:

Another fantasic recording.......2007-01-16

I Fagiolini is one of those groups where I try to get my hands on every recording they've made. This CD is just another example of why. Great individual voices but the ensemble really comes together well. They make it sound so easy to sing this repertoire. Tomkins is a a master of writing sad laments such as Woe is Me, When David Heard, and I Fagiolini brings out the raw emotion of these pieces. If you are an early music connoisseur, you will love this group. Pick up this CD, and while you're at it, get their Triumphs of Oriana and the two Byrd recordings. You won't regret it.

Monteverdi: Madrigals / Rooley, The Consort of Musicke

Average customer rating:

The 'step' toward a new style
Hear the Renaissance dissipate before your ears...

Monteverdi: Madrigals / Rooley, The Consort of Musicke
Claudio Monteverdi , Emma Kirkby , Evelyn Tubb , The Consort of Musicke , Anthony Rooley , Mary Nichols , Joseph Cornwell , Paul Elliott , Andrew King , and David Thomas
Manufacturer: Oiseau Lyre
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Monteverdi - Madrigali guerrieri et amorosi / Rooley, The Consort of Musicke
Monteverdi: Quinto Libro de Madrigali (Fifth Book of Madrigals)
Monteverdi: Il Sesto Libro de Madrigali
Monteverdi: Vespro della Beata Vergine 1610/Venetian Vespers
Josquin Desprez: Motets & Chansons

ASIN: B0000042HQ
Release Date: 1997-10-14

Tracks:

Fourth book of madrigals: I. Ah dolente partita!
Fourth book of madrigals: II. Cor mio, mentre vi miro
Fourth book of madrigals: III. Cor mio, non mori?
Fourth book of madrigals: IV. Sfogava con le stelle
Fourth book of madrigals: V. Volgea l'anima mia
Fourth book of madrigals: VI. Anima mia perdona Prima parte
Fourth book of madrigals: VII. Che se tu se'il cor mio Seconda parte
Fourth book of madrigals: VIII. Luci serene e chiare
Fourth book of madrigals: IX. La piaga c'ho nel core
Fourth book of madrigals: X. Voi pur da me partite
Fourth book of madrigals: XI. A un giro sol de begl'occhi
Fourth book of madrigals: XII. Ohime, se tanto amate
Fourth book of madrigals: XIII. 'lomi son giovinetta'
Fourth book of madrigals: XIV. Quel augellin che canta
Fourth book of madrigals: XV. non piu guerraa pietate
Fourth book of madrigals: XVI. Si chi io vorrei morire
Fourth book of madrigals: XVII. Anima dolorosa
Fourth book of madrigals: XVIII. Anima del cor mio
Fourth book of madrigals: XIX. Longe da te cor mio
Fourth book of madrigals: XX. Piagn' e sospira
Con che soavita, labbra odorate
Mentre vaga Angioletta
Tempro la cetra

Tracks:

Fifth Book of madrigals: I. Cruda Amarilli
Fifth Book of Madrigals: II. O Mirtillo, Mirtil',anima mia
Fifth Book of Madrigals: III. Era l'anima mia
Fifth Book of Madrigals: IV. Ecco, Silvio
Fifth Book of Madrigals: V. Ma se con la pieta
Fifth Book of Madrigals: VI. Dorinda, ah! diro
Fifth Book of Madrigals: VII. Ecco, piegando
Fifth Book of Madrigals: VIII. Ferir quel petto
Fifth Book of Madrigals: IX. Ch'io t'ami
Fifth Book of Madrigals: X. Deh! bella e cara
Fifth Book of Madrigals: XI. Ma tu, piu che mai dura
Fifth Book of Madrigals: XII. Che dar piu vi poss'io
Fifth Book of Madrigals: XIII. M'e piudolce il penar
Fifth Book of Madrigals: XIV. Ahi, come a un vago sol
Fifth Book of Madrigals: XV. Troppo ben puo
Fifth Book of Madrigals: XVI. Amor, se giusto
Fifth Book of Madrigals: XVII. 'T'amo mia vita!'
Fifth Book of Madrigals: XVIII. E cosi a poc a poco
Fifth Book of Madrigals: XIX. Questi vaghi concenti
Fifth Book of Madrigals: Ogni amante e querrier

Customer Reviews:

The 'step' toward a new style.......2003-03-18

This is a very fine presentation of some of the greatest madrigals ever written. Part of a whole series of recordings of the famous Books of Madrigals by Monteverdi, this double CD presents earlier recordings made by a group of distinguished singers led by Emma Kirkby together with Anthony Rooley's Consort of Musicke. One of the seminal groups of the Early Music movement, the Consort is known for its contributions to the performance of Renaissance music through the 1970s, 80s, and 90s.
I found this collection useful for the historical connotations of the program. One of the most important aspects is the birth of the new style in the first years of the seventeenth century. With the last six pieces of the Fifth Book, Monteverdi specifically demands the use of continuo instruments and through this he clearly marks the transition to the Baroque era. The seconda pratica (second practice) characterizes most of these two books of madrigals. The opening of the madrigal "Sfogava con le stelle" (Communing with the stars) represents an ensemble declamation on one chord in the rhythm of the text. In the new style, the words should govern the music, the sonorities must be in accordance with the textual images and ideas. The theatrical style is reinforced in the pieces of the Fifth Book by the particular dissonance treatment, such as unprepared sevenths and ninths. They were characterized at the time as improper.
The importance of the text is also evident through the thinner textures that Monteverdi uses at different moments in a piece. The composer writes passages where only alternating pair voices sing or if there are three voices at a time, one of them has a functional role while the other two move in parallel thirds, as in "Io mi son giovinetta" (I am young). Polyphony is not abandoned (a few madrigals have reminiscences of the prima pratica), but enhanced to smaller groups of voices competing or completing with each other.
The present recording sets apart through the clarity of the voices and the delicate ornamentation of certain passages, including a perceptible vibrato often used to enrich the sonority of such a small group. An impeccable vocal technique, which doesn't show off but serves the communication of emotions, an elegant treatments of the dynamics, including expressive accents, and an impeccable Italian diction are defining elements of this performance. Balance is sometimes a very difficult task in the context of Monteverdi's madrigals, but these singers are well coordinated and prove a highly trained sense of awareness.
To give this recording an even more interesting angle, the collection is rounded off by other four substantial accompanied madrigals. "Con che soavità" and "Tempro la cetra" come from the 7th Book, while "Mentre vaga Angioletta" and "Ogni amante è guerrier" are taken from the 8th Book. These pieces give the listeners an idea about the direction of Monteverdi's music.

Hear the Renaissance dissipate before your ears..........2001-03-26

... dissipate and morph into something quite extraordinary: the early Baroque in the hands of its first great master, Monteverdi!

Never has a composer been so generous in gradually but persistently 'easing' his audience into a new art, a new music. True the fourth book of madrigals has Sfogava con le stelle (marvelously rendered with the rest of the book here by the Consort of Musicke), but the fifth - therein lies the rub. It all begins with the familiar (but dissonant and daring!) sonorities of the Second Practice, but by the end these teeming harmonies have been reduced to chordal instrumental accompaniments to the most gorgeous monody and, yes, Baroque choral singing... you can quite literally hear the Renassiance tradition slowly dissolve into the Baroque, one of the most engaging 'moments musical'. It takes a mind of rare genius to father a new age of music... Monteverdi did just that and in THESE very madrigals.

As a bonus, Rooley et al. have included excerpts from the 7th and 8th books of madrigals just to show us where all these experiments led... Get to know these pieces. It's worth the efforts!

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Recommended Music:

Idol Tryouts

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No4, Op36

The Road to Ensenada

Music: Bazukadrop [Import]

The Great Train Robbery [Hybrid SACD] [Soundtrack]

Shreveport's Throwdest

Slade in Flame [Import] [Soundtrack]

Suspicious Package

Serras Azuis [Soundtrack] [Import]

Sir Edward Elgar: String Quartet/Piano Quintet

The Art of Walking

Ost [Import]

Riders of the Storm: The Underwater Album

Magic Christian

Can't Buy A Thrill