In September 2025 Fretwork return with an album of works for Viol by John Jenkins. Jenkins was a highly active and productive composer who lived through a period of significant transformation in English music, with his lifetime spanning from the era of William Byrd to that of Henry Purcell. He is particularly known for his contributions to the viol consort fantasia, drawing inspiration in the 1630s from a previous generation of English composers such as Alfonso Ferrabosco the Younger, Thomas Lupo, and Orlando Gibbons. His work is distinguished by it's rich lyricism, exceptional craftsmanship, and a unique approach to tonality and counter- point. In 2025 Fretwork commemorate the sudden and untimely death of Orlando Gibbons (My Days, SIGCD897), and celebrate the 90th year of Arvo Part with concerts and recordings. In these last decades, they have explored the core repertory of great English consort music from Taverner to Purcell, made classic recordings against which others are judged, and commissioned an entirely new repertory of music for viols. They will celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2026.

PIANO

CANTATA MEMORIA - FOR THE CHIL

John Jenkins (1592-1678) is perhaps the most popular English composer of the great golden era of music for multiple viols, ranging from William Cornyshe in 1520 through to Henry Purcell in 1680. The reason why is not hard to fathom: a rare melodic gift is married to an exceptionally deep understanding of harmony and modulation, and effortless counterpoint gives each part an equal voice in the musical conversation. Fretwork performs Jenkins complete consort works for four-part viol ensemble, in a new recording that showcases this composer’s rich and diverse compositions. In 2016, Fretwork celebrated their 30th anniversary. In these last three decades, they have explored the core repertory of great English concert music, from Taverner to Purcell, and made classic recordings against which others are judged.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Phantasm explores the music of John Jenkins, one of the most refined and accomplished composers of the seventeenth century. These compositions are from the height of Jenkins compositional career where he created experimental works which test the perceptive powers of players and listeners alike. Phantasm has been widely acclaimed for their previous recordings in 2015, 2001 and 2004.

This album explores rarely recorded music by John Jenkins (1592-1678) and Matthew Locke (1621/2-1677). These composers are typically associated with consort music, but Lidewij van der Voort (baroque violin) and Fred Jacobs (theorbo) delve into their compositions for two instruments on their debut CD as a duo.

“Jenkins is probably the finest English composer for instruments of the mid-seventeenth century” - Gramophone

The award-winning viol consort, Phantasm, explores the works of John Jenkins. Jenkins is considered one of the most refined and accomplished composers of the seventeenth century. Director Laurence Dreyfus says "there isn't a dull moment...the wide ranging treble parts constantly vie for ascendancy..."

Also available on Blu-ray

The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace by Welsh composer Sir Karl Jenkins is the most performed work by any living composer. This performance is the largest ever staged and was uniquely performed in synchronisation with a specially commissioned war-archive film reinforcing the narrative of the work – the build up to war, war itself and the consequences of war. Projected onto five giant screens, the film delivers a poignant backdrop to the moving musical narration providing the audience with a powerful and emotional multimedia experience. In this truly unique historic occasion Sir Karl Jenkins conducts The World Orchestra for Peace and around 2,000 singers from nearly 30 countries who joined together to Sing for Peace in Berlin.