Morley: O mistress mine

The first recording on Brilliant Classics of the splendid Early Music ensemble Le Tendre Amour.The ensemble present a beautiful bouquet of English Lute Songs, divided in 4 groups centred around the four seasons Spring, Summer,Autumn,Winter. Composers are famous names like Purcell, Byrd, Croft, Lawes, Morley and Eccles, and lesser known like Lanier, de Gallot, Finger. The Booklet contains all song texts and excellent liner notes. A pure delight for all seasons!

A delightful collection of English songs from the 17th century, constructed around the major influence of the four seasons, and showcasing the great enthusiasm for music, particularly amateur music making, that took place during this era. During the Commonwealth of England (c.1640–1660), music disappeared almost entirely from religious and court occasions. The use of instruments and music in churches was banned, and organs were destroyed by order of the regime – so the public turned to village and tavern musicians, country dances and new musical clubs for music making. Coinciding with the decline of the Elizabethan madrigal, folk music and settings of the famous poets of the day were popular; similarly, keyboard variations on dance tunes and romantic songs for voice and lute were all the rage, and this continued into the years of the Restoration under Charles II.

The monarch’s influence can be detected in the French style of some of the later works, featuring oboe and large groups of strings. This outpouring of inspired music is captured perfectly in this new collection, performed with insight and sensitivity by Ensemble Le Tendre Amour. Composers featured include Purcell, Playford, Morley, Croft, Lawes, Byrd, Eccles, Ravenscroft and, of course, many anonymous works. From bucolic country music to sophisticated pieces for a gentrified city audience, the music provides a vivid soundtrack to life in the turbulent world of 17th century England.

‘The Queen’ is a new CD by the Toronto Consort – numbering some of Canada’s leading early music specialists – which recreates musical life at the court of Elizabeth I. Many of these songs were written for or about this remarkable monarch, while others are songs that would have been performed at her court.

The Toronto Consort is Canada’s foremost chamber ensemble specialising in the music of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and early Baroque periods. The consort members include both singers and instrumentalists (lute, recorder, guitar, flute, early keyboards and percussion).They have previously produced a recording for Marquis titled “Praetorius Christmas Vespers” (774718133526), as well as several CDs for the American label Dorian. Queen Elizabeth the First was an accomplished musician so it is likely that she played many of the songs featured on this album. Elizabeth was also, famously, a lover of dancing and dance music. Even as she lay dying, Elizabeth is said to have asked for music so that she might die as gaily as she lived. She heard music until her last breath.

Peter Pears’ voice was undoubtedly one of the finest and most distinctive of the twentieth century and here he collaborates with Julian Bream and Benjamin Britten in performances of English song. Repertoire includes works by Ford, Morley, Rosseter, Dowland, Pilkington, Campion, Bridge, Butterworth, Ireland, Moeran, Warlock, Holst, Berkeley, Oldham and Britten.

Variations, the latest CD by REBaroque, aims to explore the borderland between Baroque music and folk music. That fact that early art music rose directly from a folk-music tradition is by no means a new discovery but the two genres remain close and this CD takes us on a far beyond what are normally considered the limits of Baroque music.

“With this disc we want to offer the listener what people have always appreciated: really memorable tunes in new and old guises.” (Maria Lindal)

Music from the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries composed for Shakespeare's plays or to celebrate his work. A wide range of instrumental sounds and some splendid singing create a fascinating programme of dynamic and cheerful English music, performed by one of Britain's leading ensembles.