Byrd: The wood so wild

Second volume of a unique project: the first complete recording of the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book! The Fitzwilliam Virginal Book is the largest surviving collection of Elizabethan and Jacobean keyboard music, comprising more than 300 works, written by various composers, including such celebrities as John Bull, William Byrd, Orlando Gibbons and J.P. Sweelinck.

This second volume is dedicated to William Byrd, and contains the famous Walsingham variations, and the variations on the popular tune “The Carman’s Whistle”, music of great virtuosity and ingenuity. A great achievement of Pieter‐Jan Belder, one of the most respected and frequently recorded keyboard (harpsichord, clavichord, virginal, organ, hammerklavier) players of today.

His recordings of Bach, Rameau, CPE Bach and Scarlatti (complete Sonatas!) have met with great critical acclaim in the international press.

Belder plays a unique original Ruckers instrument from 1604, the details of which are described in the extensive liner notes in the booklet.

Volume 1 was issued on BC94303.

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.

This is the first in a series of CDs of music from the Fitwilliam Virginal Book.

The American harpsichordist Kenneth Weiss is an outstanding artist and studied with Gustav Leonhardt. He teaches at the Paris Conservatory and and is harpsichord professor at the Julliard School. This is a live concert performance.