Dowland: Time stands still

“La Nef has pared down Dowland's complex accompaniments, aiming for a Celtic, folky feel. Dowland-lite it may be, but the recital is beautifully performed.” BBC Music Magazine, July 2012 ****

“There is surely no voice more ethereal-sounding among contemporary falsettists than Scholl’s, and he lavishes a ravishingly beautiful sound on the Dowland “hits”: Go, crystal tears; Now, oh now, I needs must part; From silent night; Come, heavy sleep. The danger of monotony is averted with the interspersing of viol Fantasias by John Ward and Richard Mico, and of Dowland’s lute solos, Semper Dowland, Semper Dolens, The Lady Rich, Her Galliard and A Fancy, exquisitely played by Julian Behr. For fans of both Dowland and Scholl, this is a collector’s item.” Sunday Times, 29th June 2008 Disc of the Week

“Since this is a collection dominated by John Dowland's consort songs, sobs and melancholy lie at its heart. But with Scholl's alto brand of counter-tenor floating the lines, polishing the vowels so beautifully, the sorrow never quite feels real. Occasionally he's too loud and hooty, and more than once monotonous. But Venus Birds is irresistible, he dies very nicely in Oh Death, Rock Me to Sleep, and he is always surrounded by succulent sounds from the lutenist Julian Behr. Even with the whistling and instrumental tracks, the variety of mood and texture remains limited - but who goes to Dowland to frolic?” The Times, 7th June 2008 ***

“The exquisite melancholy pervading the disc, and its companion DVD, is the perfect balm to beguile you through a wistful summer evening” The Observer, 25th May 2008

“There is some magical singing here, and Scholl is supported by instrumental playing of rare subtlety and real finesse.” BBC Music Magazine, July 2008 ****

“Scholl's technique is unimpeachable, his tone polished beyond doubt…” Gramophone Magazine, September 2008

“Inevitably, Andreas Scholl gets the headline treatment, though the man himself seems very much a team player. And though there are a few quibbles with his approach to this repertory, his interaction with Concerto di Viole and lutenist Julian Behr carries great conviction. The choice of Dowland songs holds few surprises. Although Scholl's technique is unimpeachable, his tone polished beyond doubt, there's a surprising diffidence.
Dowland's melancholy may have been a genuine personality trait but the Elizabethan penchant for this most intractable of humours was also (as Scholl acknowledges) a wider social phenomenon, a fashionable affectation; and from an artist of Scholl's accomplishment, a tauter balance between demure reserve and theatricality would have been welcome. Otherwise, one runs the risk of a one–dimensional Dowland, and Scholl doesn't entirely avoids it here.
That said, the first track, 'Go crystal tears', makes for a fine opening, and in 'Go nightly cares' the dialogue between voice and viols is very impressive. The whistling in the refrain of John Bennett's 'Venus' birds' seems the wrong sort of affectation, and the portamenti in the refrain of Byrd's 'Though Amaryllis dance in green' are likewise overdone.
The gems here are the pieces by lesser–known composers, in which Scholl's reserve is perhaps less of an issue: Robert Johnson's 'Have you seen the bright lily grow?' is particularly moving, and movingly conveyed, with something of the languor of the air de cour. Concerto di Viole's contributions are stylish, and Behr is both a sensitive accompanist and a distinguished soloist (in 'Semper Dowland semper dolens'). On a bonus DVD there's a short documentary that faithfully captures the atmosphere of a recording session, in which Scholl comes across as a down-to-earth, reflective and genuinely charming person.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“The Sarum Consort and its director establish and stick limpet-like to the underlying beat in this album's choice of works for vocal ensemble, catching the sibilant energy and vigour of O clap your hands and unleashing a terrific account of Morley's Hard by a crystal fountain. I've heard other early music ensembles, including household names, make heavy weather of pieces that emerge here with lightness and clarity.” Classic FM Magazine, June 2011 ****

“Croton is a fine lutenist, with an acute ear for colour, and he possesses a strong technique...What gives this project even greater resonance is the chosen singer, Theresia Bothe. Her voice...embodies elements of classical purity in places but also has a decided folk influence...So this is a somewhat out of the way disc, pursuing a very individual slant on Dowland” MusicWeb International, 30th July 2010

“Theresia Bothe’s voice is very individual. Her expressiveness comes from the emphasis and colouring of certain words and the breaking of phrases, rather than ornamenting or varying the music...Hearing all this new material created by Croton is like discovering new works by Dowland, such is his sense of style and his ability to emulate Dowland’s melodic gift.” Lute News, April 2010

“Can be recommended without reservation … the wonderful By beauteous softness, from Queen Mary’s Birthday Ode of 1689, given this performance, I could quite easily listen to for ever … there’s a remarkable technical ease and innate literary intelligence about Blaze’s singing which together with the astounding beauty of his voice makes this one of the most outstanding recitals of its kind on disc” BBC Music Magazine

“Robin Blaze has the special ingredients to transcend any latent prejudice [of countertenors], especially in a recital as wide-ranging and intelligently programmed as this. Blaze has the means to colour his texts, not just with superior diction, but timbral variation to keep the listener hearing each song afresh … there are too many highlights to list … superb. Another fine achievement from two of Britain’s brightest and best” Gramophone Magazine

“Robin Blaze has the versatility and range of nuances needed to encompass such an eclectic repertoire and the precision of focus in his limpid countertenor makes even a trifle like The delights of the bottle an invigorating experience … an enterprising recital disc” International Record Review