Alfonso Ferrabosco Jr. & William Byrd: Consort Music
Ricercar
CD
$8.99Jan 08, 2008
«Apt for Viols and Voices». That's how the fusion of voices and viols is mentioned in several documents of the English renaissance. This CD is devoted to two of the most important composers of that period who've bequeathed us an important body of 'consorts' for 4 and 6 part viols as well as some very moving 'consort songs'. Both were employed at the royal court. The former Elisabeth the 1st, the latter by James the 1st. The elder remains faithful to the basic principles of polyphony acquired with his master Thomas Tallis for whom he writes the poignant elegy 'Ye Sacred Muses'. The second musician, on the other hand, a viola virtuoso, leads his instrument into new avenues and develops his polyphony through audacious experiments.
“[Guido] certainly knew how to write attractive music, full of invention and lovely sonorities. If anyone is tired of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, and I suspect many will be, then this new disc provides a refreshing alternative with thrilling playing. The recording made in New College, Oxford, is first rate.” – TheClassicalReviewer
“Here is a beautiful work, vigorously played by 'The Band of Instruments', a group based in Oxford that accompanies Caroline Balding who shows herself to be a great violin virtuoso . Giovanni Antonio Guido's 'Four Seasons' might not show the musical richness of Vivaldi's work, but this is nevertheless music extremely pleasant to listen to, in a fresh and sharp reading by The Band of Instruments.” - Remy Franck, Pizzicato
