Elizabethan & Jacobean Consort Music

On this CD:

1. Now Is the Month of Maying, for 5 voices
Composed by Thomas Morley
Performed by Catherine Bott, Michael George, New London Consort

2. Tarleton's Jig for lute, P81
Composed by John Dowland
Performed by Catherine Bott, Michael George, New London Consort

3. This Merry Pleasant Spring
Composed by Anonymous
Performed by Catherine Bott, Michael George, New London Consort

4. My Lord of Oxenford's Mask (From Thomas Morley's "The First Booke of Consort Lessons")
Composed by William Byrd
Performed by Catherine Bott, Michael George, New London Consort

5. Batchelar, The
Composed by John Maynard
Performed by Catherine Bott, Michael George, New London Consort

6. Coral, for recorder
Composed by William Brade
Performed by Catherine Bott, Michael George, New London Consort

7. Why Sigh'st Thou, Shepherd?
Composed by John Jenkins
Performed by Catherine Bott, Michael George, New London Consort

8. My Lord of March Paven
Composed by James Lauder
Performed by Catherine Bott, Michael George, New London Consort

9. Galliard
Composed by Anonymous
Performed by Catherine Bott, Michael George, New London Consort

10. O Mistress Mine
Composed by Thomas Morley
Performed by Catherine Bott, Michael George, New London Consort

11. Did You Not Once Lucinda?
Composed by Charles Coleman
Performed by Catherine Bott, Michael George, New London Consort

12. Reade's Almain
Composed by Antony Holborne
Performed by Catherine Bott, Michael George, New London Consort

13. It Was a Lover and His Lass, for voice, lute & bass viol
Composed by Thomas Morley
Performed by Catherine Bott, Michael George, New London Consort

14. Masque Music II
Composed by Thomas Lupo
Performed by Catherine Bott, Michael George, New London Consort

15. Masque Music III
Composed by Thomas Lupo
Performed by Catherine Bott, Michael George, New London Consort

16. Faine Would I Wed a Faire Yong Man for voice, lute & bass viol
Composed by Thomas Campion
Performed by Catherine Bott, Michael George, New London Consort

17. Maide, The I Marriage Would Forsweare
Composed by John Maynard
Performed by Catherine Bott, Michael George, New London Consort

18. Barafostus' Dreame
Composed by Thomas Tomkins
Performed by Catherine Bott, Michael George, New London Consort

19. Mother Watkin's Ale
Composed by Anonymous
Performed by Catherine Bott, Michael George, New London Consort

20. Nutmegs and ginger
Composed by Anonymous
Performed by Catherine Bott, Michael George, New London Consort

21. O Lustie May
Composed by Scottish Traditional
Performed by Catherine Bott, Michael George, New London Consort

Tracks:

Moderato E Ritmico
Waltz Tempo-Languidamente
Allegro Scherzando (Ma Non Troppo Allegro)
Moderato
Poco Allegretto E Semplice
Allegro Giocoso
The Inumerable Dance- An English Overture
Andante E Rubato
Vivace
Aphrodite In Aulis- An Eclogue For Small Orchestra After George Moore
Symphonic Prelude 'The Magic Island'
Festival March

Customer Reviews:

'All in Order Sweet and Lovely' .......2007-01-16

I still remember my surprise and pleasure the first time I heard any of the concert music of William Alwyn: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4 with Alwyn conducting the London Philharmonic on a Lyrita LP. Up to that time I'd known him only as a film composer ('The Rocking Horse Winner', 'Odd Man Out' among many others). The music was notable for its inventive orchestrations, its creative use of rhythm, its skillful mix of impressionist and modal harmonies, and its unfailingly beautiful melodies. It is, therefore, with great pleasure that I encountered this new release by David Lloyd-Jones conducting the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, at least partly because there are a couple of important first recordings -- The Innumerable Dance, and Aphrodite in Aulis -- contained in the varied program.

The CD starts with Alwyn's 1956-57 'Elizabethan Dances', a six-part suite that alternates movements recalling the eras of Elizabeth I and Elizabeth II, a clever idea that but one that can be a little jarring as we go from music featuring tabors and pipes to music with bluesy harmonies. I can't hear the first movement without initially thinking of stereotypical American Indian music with the square drum rhythms coupled with open fifths, although within a few seconds we are thrown back into the ceremonial music of the Virgin Queen's court. One is amused by the final movement which alternates between a rumba and a hornpipe! This, if nothing else, typifies Alwyn's sense of humor, never hidden for long.

'The Innumerable Dance - An English Overture' takes its title from a passage in Blake's 'Milton': "And flower and herb soon fill the air with an innumerable dance / Yet all in order sweet and lovely." A ten-minute-long tone poem written in 1933, it is an evocation of an English spring, opening with hushed divisi tremolando strings followed by muted horns. Further tonal weight is gradually added until we reach a scintillating sunrise and a spirited dance. This is gorgeous (and gorgeously played) pastoral English music reminiscent of Delius. The present recording is possibly its first performance in almost seventy years and we are the richer for it.

'Concerto for Oboe, Harp and String' (1943-44) features Jonathan Small, oboe, and Eleanor Hudson, harp. It was given its premiere by Evelyn Rothwell, wife of John Barbirolli who was a staunch advocate of Alwyn's concert music. In two movements played without pause, this 18-minute work moves from a nostalgic and impressionistic opening to a virtuosic and spry modal dance before closing with return of the initial material. Although the work is played well here, it is for me a marginally less appealing performance than that on a Chandos recording with oboist Nicholas Daniel and the City of London Sinfonietta under Richard Hickox.

'Aphrodite in Aulis - An Eclogue for Small Orchestra, after George Moore' (1932) is an ethereally evocative miniature for flute, two horns, harp and strings. Like 'The Innumerable Dance', it has not been heard for seventy years. I could easily imagine it working its way into the margins of the mainstream repertoire, particularly if given such an exquisite performance as heard here. I must say that this is the piece that I returned to most on this disc. Absolutely delicious!

Very nearly as lovely, though, and twice as long, is 'The Magic Island' (1952), a so-called 'Symphonic Prelude', inspired by lines from 'The Tempest': "... the isle is full of noises / Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not." From an atmospheric, quiet beginning it swells to a climax beginning at 3:50: "a thousand twangling instruments / will hum about mine ears ..." Of the works presented here, 'The Magic Island' presents Alwyn most convincingly as the master orchestrator that he was. It was, incidentally, commissioned by Barbirolli.

And, finally, we get a good old-fashioned Elgarian 'pomp and circumstance' style march, the 'Festival March' written for the 1951 Festival of Britain. Full of 'nobilmente' and 'grandioso' atmosphere, it deserves to stand with similar contemporaneous works by Walton as well as those by Elgar. A marvelous end to a marvelous program of works, not a one of them weak or derivative, by a composer whose stature can only grow, William Alwyn.

Enthusiastically recommended.

Scott Morrison

Average customer rating:

Transported to another age
Exceptional!
Beautiful Sounds
Superb- For Connoisseurs of the Genre

Elizabethan Consort Music

Manufacturer: Alia Vox Spain
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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La Folia, 1490-1701
Altre Follie, 1500-1750
Villancicos y Danzas Criollas
Isabel I: Reina de Castilla
Carlos V

ASIN: B0000242AT
Release Date: 1998-10-27

Tracks:

Pavin Of Albarri
Gallyard
In Nomine A 5
In Nomine III A 5
Desperada
Gallyard
Allemande
Browning My Dear
In Nomine V A 5
Ronda
La Represa
(Gallyard)
In Nomine II A 5
In Nomine III A 5
Allemana D'Amor
(Dance)
Quemadmodum A 6
Di Sei Soprani
Pavana
Brandeberges
La Represa
In Nomine IV A 6
O Mater Mundi A 5
Pavana
Gallyard
(Dance)
In Nomine IV A 7
The Song Called Trumpets A 6
In Nomine V A 7

Amazon.com

It's always a treat to experience the best of something: in this case, a performance of 16th-century music. Of course, the form and makeup of the viol consort, which includes various sizes of viols, often joined by other strings such as lute, itself is an instrumental configuration as close to perfection as any ensemble can be. This, accompanied by a style of writing that fully exploits the complementary timbres and the abilities of each instrument to delineate intricate polyphonic passages as well as to deliver chordal harmonies with uniquely rich resonance, makes for some of the most listenable music ever invented. Jordi Savall and his Hesperion XX are simply the world's best at this sort of music, and on this program they just flawlessly go about their business, bringing us more than two dozen delightful, dancing pieces from several composers, including John Taverner, William Mundy, and Anonymous. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Transported to another age.......2001-01-23

Not that many years ago, my favourite classical DJ expressed the view that "original instruments" ensembles were a "passing fad". He was strong in his belief that early instruments, even those manufactured today on early models, couldn't provide the depth and range of music his critical ear required. The emergence of La Petite Band began the process of bending his rigid outlook. When Jordi Savall came into prominence, and in particular Savall's Hesperion XX, this commentator had become a staunch advocate. I followed right along with him.

This CD exemplifies the superb quality of music and sound production Savall and his team. It would be interesting to know just how deeply Savall gets into the production of his CDs, for they are uniformly excellent. This one takes us from Savall's Catalan to the courts of Elizabethan England. In presenting that time and place, Savall adds a special knowledge of how the music of that era was produced. You almost automatically feel yourself transported to an English manor house or palace to join the other courtiers in listening to these delightful renditions. It's important to remember that this was the primary domestic entertainment of the day. We forget how sensitive the hearing of the listeners of that day must have been to nuances we often miss in the sound competitive world we live in. They could, and did, focus on the sound and only the best was accepted. Or, indeed, even offered by composers.

Savall, as usual, has drawn it all together with finesse and ability. Watching him conduct is to see each note from every instrument drawn forth and assessed. It's almost as if the sound will not be released to the listener unless perfectly produced. But under his direction, that is exactly what is accomplished. Of all the CDs of Elizabethan instrumentals, this must be your first choice.

Exceptional!.......2001-01-22

This a wonderful cd and a must have if you enjoy this genre of classical music. A wonderful recording and very soothing to listen too. I find the opening track quite catchy. Get it!

Beautiful Sounds.......1999-11-18

This is a complex sort of music played on period instruments giving the late twentieth Century listener a challenge. Once you get over the novelty of the tones you find an underlying treat of rhythm and melody.

This is well worth buying.

Superb- For Connoisseurs of the Genre.......1999-08-22

Hesperion XX performs this genre of music as well as anyone today, and this recording shows their reputation is deserved. This music is played with consummate professionalism on period instruments. However, this might not be the best recording for a first exposure to this repetoire. It lacks a brightness that modern instruments have and that contemporary audiences frequently expect. It contains music by composers that you almost have to be a musicologist or a musician active in 16th century music to know. But if you want to hear a splendid and- I think- authentic recording of Elizabethan Consort music, then look no further.

Average customer rating:

It contains songs not on other CD.
The Best Of The Mantovani Orchestra
The Best of the Mantovani Orchestra (vol 1 & 2)
Poor Recording
Top of the "Beautiful Music" Heap

Best of the Mantovani Orchestra

Manufacturer: Madacy Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Mantovani's Golden Hits
Many Moods of the Mantovani Orchestra
The Best Ever Mantovani Collection
The Ultimate Collection
Melodies of Love

ASIN: B000000L5X
Release Date: 1994-09-12

Tracks:

Some Enchanted Evening
Three Coins In The Fountain
The Impossible Dream
More
Send In The Clowns
Charmaine
Somewhere My Love
Elizabethan Serenade
Carnival Of Venice
Overture-Die Fledermaus
Merry Widow Waltz
Summertime In Venice

Tracks:

The Shadow Of Your Smile
The Sound Of Music
Italian Fantasy
For Once In My Life
Swedish Rhapsody
I've Grown Accustomed To His Face
The Entertainer
For Once In My Life
Skater's Waltz
Tales From The Vienna Woods
Londonderry Air
Autumn Leaves

Customer Reviews:

It contains songs not on other CD........2007-01-01

I am pretty happy with the CD I have. I noticed that these songs are not on other CD. Summer Time in Venice, Three Coins in the Fountain, The Impossible Dream, Send in The Clown, Somewhere My Love and Elizabethan Serenade. The sound quality is acceptable.

The Best Of The Mantovani Orchestra.......2004-04-13

This cd is an ok collection of tunes from Mantovani.It's not the best but it's ok.This 2 cd set features songs such as three coins in a fountain,send in the clowns,skater's waltz,for once in my life and others.This isn't the only version of for once in my life Mantovani did.This version is light strings.Manti's other version is with a harpsicord and heavy strings.It is on Mantovani Scene/Mantovani Sound which has just come out from Vocolion.It also has such songs as dear heart,both sides now,honey and a lot of others.Amazon doesn't have this yet but I have just recieved my copy from another website.Like the other viewer said unfortuanly the sound quality is bad on the best of collection.I even heard somebody coughing on one track and there is some tape hiss from the transfer.I would like to recommend a 2 cd set by John Fox going under the name of the starry night orchestra that is put out by yestermusic(good music group)and has 30 tracks by Mr.Fox.Every song has a heavy string contingment and it states that these were played on beautiful music stations.John Foxes Strings are so beautiful.
The John Fox I'm talking about isn't the same John Fox that is a commedian that is sold on this site.

The Best of the Mantovani Orchestra (vol 1 & 2).......2002-09-14

The Madacy Label has betrayed Mantovani's genious, and substituted poor recordings in these 2 CD's. I have immediately
cancelled all Madacy Label orders with everyone, and will investigate all future items with a Canadian origin prior to purchase.

Joseph C. Jernigan

Poor Recording.......2002-09-05

The quality of the recording is poor. You can hear flutter in the string passages, which is 90% of Mantovani's music! There is also hiss noise, and pops in piece transitions... Amateur transcription from tape to CD's, is my guess. Someone else made bad reviews regarding the poor recording on the same record label, so my suggestion is to stay away from the label Madacy Records.

Top of the "Beautiful Music" Heap.......2001-02-19

This CD has a nice collection of Mantovani's work. The combination of older standards with "newer" (such as Stevie Wonder's "For Once In My Life")is great. This is the stuff that is usually mocked as "elevator music" but also considered by many good romancing background music. Many of these arrangements were heard on a local Beautiful Music FM station where I live before the format change. The only negative I have is for a "box set" there is no write-up on the Orchestra. It would have been nice to read about Mantovani and what inspired his arrangements, and the orchestra personnell. My copy was made in Canada by Madacy. Maybe someone who has contact with that company could recommend a booklet for any future copies made.

Robin is to the Greenwood Gone: Elizabethan Lute Music

Average customer rating:

Wonderful!

Robin is to the Greenwood Gone: Elizabethan Lute Music

Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Early Sixteenth Century Venetian Lute Music
Portrait
Royal Lewters: Music of Henry VIII & Elizabeth I's
Anthony Holborne: The teares of the Muses
John Johnson: Lute Music

ASIN: B000005IXQ
Release Date: 1992-05-28

Tracks:

Mounsier's Almaine
Ballad Tunes
Early Elizabethan Music
Scottish Music
Music of Anthony Holborne
Fantasie
Music of Thomas Robinson

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful!.......2007-04-14

After watching the Sting debacle, we needed a Lute Fix. If you own only one lute album, this is the one to own. Paul Odette is a Lute player only, and does a better job of it than some otherwise fine guitar players. His style moves from sensitive to forceful, as the music dictates.

Average customer rating:

Great Music from Elizabeth's time

Elizabethan Songs and Consort Music
Peter Wendland , and Innocenzio Alerti
Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Treasury of Elizabethan Music
Dowland: Consort Music
Byrd: Consort and Keyboard Music; Songs and Anthems
Elizabethan Consort Music
Shakespeare Songs

ASIN: B00003Q40F
Release Date: 2000-01-25

Tracks:

Fantasia
Ah, Alas You Salt Sea Gods
A Song Of Mr Robert Parsons
The Song Called Trumpets
O Death, Rock Me Asleep
In Nomine
In Nomine
Pour Down, You Pow'rs Divine
Ut Re Mi
Quis Me Statim
In Nomine No, 14 'Reporte'
Penelope That Longed
In Nomine No. 20 'Crye'
Send Forth Thy Sighs
Climb Not Too High
De La Court
Eliza, Her Name Gives Honour
Pavin Of Albarti
Gallyard
O Jove, From Stately Throne
A Solfing Song
Ah, Silly Poor Joas
In Nomine
Ye Sacred Muses

Customer Reviews:

Great Music from Elizabeth's time.......2002-09-13

This is an exceptional disc of music in height of popularity at
the court of Elizabeth I, and a bargan on the Naxos label(they
have several titles of early music available). The songs are all of high performance quality, and highly recomended to those interested in Elizabeth and her world. Several tracks for me stand out, including "Pour Down,You Pow'rs Divine", "Climb Not To High", and "Eliza, Her Name Gives Honour", this last composition written in celebration and honor of the queen, and beautifuly sung by Catherine King. The Rose Consort Of Viols are
also featured, the "grandfathers" of the modern bowed string
instruments were highly in vogue at the time for voice accompany or alone. For those with an interest in Elizabeth, or have seen the movie, this CD is highly recomended!

Average customer rating:

Many middlebrow masterworks in the mix
Fills a need for many music collections ...
British music we don't hear enough of

British Light Music Classics - 1

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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British Light Music Classics, Vol. 2
British Light Music Classics 4
British Light Music Classics, Vol. 3
American Light Music Classics
European Light Music Classics

ASIN: B000002ZXS
Release Date: 1996-06-10

Tracks:

Calling All Workers
The Haunted Ballroom
Vanity Fair
Jumping Bean
Destiny
The Boulevardier
Pas De Quatre
The Watermill
The Devil's Galop
Dusk
Puffin' Billy
Bells Across The Meadows
The Old Clockmaker
Dreaming
Elizabethan Serenade
Coronation Scot
Nights Of Gladness

Customer Reviews:

Many middlebrow masterworks in the mix.......2002-06-09

Eric Coates' "Calling All Workers" and Edward White's "Puffin' Billy" (used as Captain Kangaroo's theme music!) are the two main reasons to buy this first-rate CD. The former work, from 1940, is an elegantly rousing and structurally flawless march in symmetrical binary form, with the second section making its final appearance in augmentation, the note values doubled for wonderful dramatic effect. Such by-the-book perfection is news when encountered in Mozart or Beethoven, and it should be given its due here. The equally effective "Puffin' Billy" is breezily structured by comparison, with a minimum of thematic material transformed through theme and variation and frequent modulations into a charming and satisfyingly complete train journey. The piece is repetitious as can be, but it doesn't sound that way, and therein lies the miracle of its composition. These two works steal the CD, hands-down.

But there are several close seconds, including the marvelous, Satie-worthy "The Boulevardier," and "The Haunted Ballroom," a piece that evokes the title in a way that is almost spooky. And there's a corny but lovely piece by Albert ("In a Persian Market") Ketelbey called "Bells Across the Meadows." Ketelbey cunningly and cleverly suggests the bells of the title through the subtlest of means--namely, bells sounding in the distance. Across the meadows, almost. But the music works, and that's all that matters.

Fills a need for many music collections ..........2000-11-09

Intelligent, entertaining light orchestra music is something I find fills a great space in my collection. It's perfect for those days you just don't feel up to Mahler or Wagner, but still want some music in your life. This excellent first volume in one of Hyperion's most popular series is a great way to get started.

All of the tunes on this generously-filled CD are written by British masters of light music and played with fizzing energy and a sense of fun by Ronald Corp and his fine orchestra. No piece outstays its welcome and some may be familiar to you -- especially "Puffin' Billy," which was used as the theme for the old Captain Kangaroo children's show! Many are probably very familiar to British listeners, having been used as openers for popular BBC radio and TV shows over the years.

Tuneful and entertaining, this CD is a great find and could become one of your favorites. Give it a chance -- like me, you may find yourself hunting after others in the series: British Light Music Classics 2 and 3, American Light Music Classics, and European Light Music Classics.

British music we don't hear enough of.......2000-11-07

This CD brings a smile to my face. Vanity Fair and the Boulevardier will make you light on your feet. Dusk is another beauty. The CD is full of wonderful, clever music. I'm looking forward to getting CDs 2 and 3. The music may have been around for a while but it is a fresh as ever.

Shakespeare: Greatest Hits - Lute works from the Elizabethan Age (Dowland, Farnaby, Gervaise, Mudarra, etc) (2 CD Set)

Average customer rating:

Pleasant and relaxing

Shakespeare: Greatest Hits - Lute works from the Elizabethan Age (Dowland, Farnaby, Gervaise, Mudarra, etc) (2 CD Set)

Manufacturer: Intersound Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Panorama: Dances of the Renaissance
English Renaissance Music
Sinners & Saints: The Ultimate Medieval and Renaissance Music Collection

ASIN: B00000J83S
Release Date: 1999-06-08

Tracks:

Preludio
Bianco Flore
Danza
gagliarda
Canzone
Saltorello
Galliard
Allemande
Alman
Pavane
Galliard
Melancholy Galliard
The Cobbler
The King Of Denmark's Galliard
As I Went To Walshingham
Go From My Window
La Rossignol
Drewries Accordes
Toy For Two Lutes
Recercate Concertante
Greensleeves
Wilson's Wilde

Tracks:

The Western Wynde
It Was A Lover And His Lass
Edi Beo Thu, Hevene Quene
Greensleeves
The King's Dance
Galliarde
My Lady Carey's Dompe
The New Saboo
Pavane D'Angleterre
La Volta, Theme & Variations
Nobody's Gigge
The Earl Of Essex Galliard

Customer Reviews:

Pleasant and relaxing.......2000-08-30

I heard this at a local mega-bookstore. It is pleasing enough that I actually heard it and was listening to it. Definitely background or relaxation music, but also good enough to listen to. The woodwinds on some of the pieces are very lyrical. Good medieval/Elizabethan type music.

Average customer rating:

a voice teacher and early music fan
Serious Drawback
Pleasant recital of Dowland contemporary

Campion: Elizabethan Songs

Manufacturer: Hmf Classical Exp.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Handel Opera Arias, Vol. 1 ~ Drew Minter, PBO, McGegan

ASIN: B000059WLG
Release Date: 2001-03-13

Tracks:

Beauty, Since You So Much Desire
Love Me Or Not
Your Fair Looks
Never Love Unless You Can
O Never To Be Moved
The Cypress Curtain Of The Night
Awake Thou Spring Of Speaking Grace
Come, You Pretty False-Eyed Wanton
So Tired Are All My Thoughts
Fire, Fire
Pined I Am, And Like To Die
Author Of Light
See Where She Flies
Fair, If You Expect Admiring
Shall I Come, Sweet Love, To Thee?
It Fell On A Summer's Day
Kind Are Her Answers
Beauty Is But A Painted Hell
Sweet Exclude Me Not
Are You What Your Fair Looks Express?
I Care Not For These Ladies
Never Weather-Beaten Sail

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-12-24

Thomas Campion (1567-1620) was a poet as well as a musician, and his songs definately reflect this ability, for they could just as well be read as sung. Philip Rosseter ( his friend) states that his 118 songs were "superfluous blossomes of his deeper Studies," no doubt referring to his Latin poetry , or perhaps medicine, which was his profession. What Campion did better than Dowland, or any other English composer of the day, was to "couple my words and notes lovingly together, which will be much for him to doe that hath not power over both." It is best to listen to them in order of priority to poem, melody and lastly singer. His melodies are simplistic and unadorned by shocking harmony designed to overpower the weight of the word itself. T.S. Eliot was in no doubt about Campion's quality:"except for Shakespeare, the most accomplished master of rhymed lyric of his time."
The performance of these songs by Drew Minter (countertenor) accompanied by Paul O'Dette (lute) is really quite outstanding. I must say that this disc is so much better than Minter's other disc of lute songs "Sweeter Than Roses". His voice had a much clearer tone quality and he did not get 'nasal' or 'edgy' as he is prone to do. He kept his voice light and distinct with very neat diction. When he goes for a loud full sound like Michael Chance or David Daniels his voice is not pleasant to hear. But this album is very good and his emotional investment into each song was excellent. Just a very good LISTEN!!!!

Serious Drawback.......2006-04-08

Elizabethan Songs. Twenty-two songs by Thomas Campion (1567 – 1620), performed by Drew Minter (countertenor) and Paul O’Dette (lute).
Recorded in November 1989 at Bethel United Church of Christ, Manchester, Michigan.
Harmonia Mundi. Originally issued as HMU 907023, now re-issued as part of the budget-price Classical Express series as HMCX 3957023. Total time: 58’23”.

Thomas Campion was a contemporary of both Shakespeare and Dowland and was a medical doctor who wrote poetry which he also set to music. Drew Minter performs twenty-two of these here with his inimitable coppery countertenor, a voice which is, in fact, very beautiful, but needs considerable getting used to if you are new to it. (Minter sings at alto pitch, but nobody would mistake him for a female!) He is accompanied by master lutenist Paul O’Dette, whose contribution remains fairly quietly in the background. The songs themselves are, of course, in Elizabethan English, making them rather difficult to understand. And this is where this CD suffers a serious drawback: the texts are not printed in the thin CD booklet; instead, there is a note saying that they can be downloaded from the internet, but when I tried to visit the site mentioned (on more than one occasion recently), the server was down, the address unknown. I nevertheless enjoyed listening, but without really knowing what Minter was singing so delightfully about. Campion’s melodies sound to my ear a little “samish”, and I occasionally found myself wishing that the program had been interrupted by a lute solo or two.

Pleasant recital of Dowland contemporary.......2001-03-28

There is little overlap between this Campion CD and the similar recital featuring another American countertenor, Steven Rickards, on Naxos. However if forced to choose between the two note that the Naxos release includes sung texts, while this one from Classical Express does not. On the other hand O'Dette is a more characterful lute player.