400 years ago, in 1623, England lost two of its greatest composers: William Byrd and Thomas Weelkes. In a program marking this double anniversary, The...

400 years ago, in 1623, England lost two of its greatest composers: William Byrd and Thomas Weelkes. In a program marking this double anniversary, The King’s Singers and Fretwork turn their focus to the bold personalities of these two men, Will and Tom. Featuring well-known gems by the two composers, alongside works which had never been recorded before and which are rarely heard live, Tom and Will unlocks some of the humanity behind these two giants of Elizabethan music. Presented in The King’s Singers’ unique style, this program is filled with beauty, drama and storytelling. As part of this project, The King’s Singers and Fretwork have commissioned two new works for their joint forces, by two of Britain’s great living composers: Sir James MacMillan and Roderick Williams. These works only feature in the version performed by The King’s Singers and Fretwork, but represent a commitment to keeping the spirit of Byrd and Weelkes alive in today’s musical landscape.

REVIEW:

Hand it to the King’s Singers for having been in existence since 1968 and still keeping it fresh after 55 years. Performances of madrigals and other pieces by Byrd and Weelkes are not new, but this one is a standout. Start with the group’s trademark vocal blend, which has never been better, and there is top-notch instrumental backing from Fretwork. The King’s Singers may be entertainers first and foremost, but here, they have brought listeners deeply into the world of the madrigal in a beautifully executed effort that rightly landed on classical best-seller charts in early 2023.

-- AllMusic.com (James Manheim)