Sandrin: Doulce memoire (Cancion)

During the mid-16th century in Spain, it became increasingly common for collections of music to include tablature that would enable performers of other polyphonic instruments to perform the repertoire. With the recent addition of chromatic strings, the harp was one such mechanism to benefit from this, and its presentation in this beautifully performed compilation of works offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich world of Iberian Renaissance music making.

The compositions detailed in this recording are taken from three separate sources of the period: books by Mudarra, Venegas de Henestrosa and Antonio de Cabezón. While Mudarra’s work ‘for harp or organ’ is unique in that it’s the closest thing we have to genuine 16th-century harp music, the compilation focuses primarily on the keyboard works of Antonio de Cabezón and includes in tabulations (arrangements of chansons and madrigals originally written by some of the most renowned mid-century composers), dances, variations and tientos – freely composed polyphonic fantasias. Not only does the recording introduce us to the different genres of the period, revealing an instrument that had grown ‘as perfect as the clavichord’, it honours the work of a man who was in fact one of the foremost keyboard performers and composers of his time. Surveying a lesser known facet of one of the most famous periods in music history, this collection is a must-buy for the Renaissance connoisseur.

The elegant, keyless, cylindrical flute of the sixteenth century had a reedy, penetrating sound, closer to the cornetto than to any other wind instrument of the day. It had an impressive range of two and a half octaves and an evenness of tone quality that would not be matched again until the nineteenth century.

The pieces on this recording focus on repertoire for the renaissance flute consort, almost all of which was originally vocal music.

"Buccaneer, the latest release from His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts, lives up to its royal lineage and adds to what is already a long and distinguished line of high-quality releases by this UK ensemble. Buccaneer has many attributes worthy of special note, in addition to the beautiful playing so characteristic of HMSC. As in all their other recordings, Buccaneer, from the sparse but informative liner notes, to the attractive packaging, is clearly the product of a thoroughly professional ensemble.The content selected is a pleasing variety of styles with the first six tracks devoted to English music followed by eight selections from Spain.The CD concludes with three more English works. This CD is the seventeenth release by HMSC. Although their earlier recordings displayed a very high level of musicianship, their sound and ensemble playing has matured over the years and this latest releases is certainly one of their best. Modern brass ensembles that play this repertoire would do well to listen closely to any recording by HMSC to get a better understanding of the style." Historic Brass Society