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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | John Danyel: Lute Songs, 1606Recording location: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London, UK, May 1978
Anthony Rooley writes: ‘Even in 1926, when Peter Warlock published his brief essay on the English Lute Songs, John Danyel was singled out as being perhaps the finest lute-song composer (John Dowland not excepted) by perceptive Warlock. Nobody believed him then, and not much has changed now – but I agree with Warlock. John Danyel composed some of the finest songs in the English language, but he has left us too little for him to be judged a ‘great master’! Just one slim volume of songs and a few exceedingly difficult lute solos in manuscript. ‘After I had completed the complete Dowland recordings in 1976/77, I was eager to be sure Danyel was made available too. I had discovered that his one book was designed not so much as a “song-cycle”, but as a “song-story”, carefully structured and sequenced. The craftsmanship is obvious from the start, but the extraordinary level of artistry in song achieved by Danyel is most apparent in the two “song-cycles” within the larger story: “Grief keep within” and “Can doleful notes?”. As Warlock observed, there is simply nothing to compare with these two works, in the entire Lute Song output. Danyel’s ability to create a large-scale architecture, both musically and emotionally, with the simplest of means is remarkable. He and Dowland were good friends; there was no enmity between them – only respect. I hope this reissue will find new Danyel converts!’ This important recording receives its first international CD issue, which includes a new introductory note by Anthony Rooley, the original liner notes and full song texts. | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | John Danyel: Songs to Mistress Anne Grene
A Garden of Eloquence: Katharine Hawnt (voice), Ziv Braha (lute), Uri Smilansky (bass viol) This collection of songs is based on the theme of the courting of Daphne of Apollo and Anthony Rooley has suggested that it can be regarded as the first song-cycle in England. This captivating recording was produced by Sting. “[Hawnt's] diction is amazingly clear, aided by immaculate sound quality, and her understanding and interpretation of texts are excellent throughout… John Danyel was one of [Dowland's] most interesting and talented contemporaries and his musical love letters to Mistress Anne Greene are well worth listening to.” International Record Review, February 2012 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | English Lute Songs
anon.: | The Last of the Queenes Maskes - lute solo | Banister: | Come unto these yellow sands Where the bee sucks Dry those eyes Full fathom five Give me my lute | Blow: | Lovely Selina | Campion: | Fair, if you expect admiring | Danyel: | Rosa - lute solo Can doleful notes? | Dowland: | In darkness let me dwell Time stands still Behold a wonder here | Johnson, R: | Full fathom five Where the bee sucks Fantasia - lute solo | Lawes, W: | Why so pale and wan, fond lover? He that will not love (Persuasions not to Love) I'm sick of love (To Sycamores) Gather ye rosebuds while ye may | Locke: | The delights of the bottle | Purcell: | Riggadoon, Z653 Lute solo Song Tune ['Ah how pleasant 'tis to love', Z353] - lute solo A New Irish Tune Z646 Lute solo Tis Nature's voice (from Hail, Bright Cecilia, Z328) Be welcome then, great Sir Song Tune ['Still I'm wishing', Z627] - lute solo Sefauchi's Farewell, Z656 By beauteous softness (from Now does the glorious day appear, Z332) | Reggio: | Arise, ye subterranean Winds |
English Lute Songs covers a variety of styles by composers such as Blow, Dowland, Campion, Lawes and Purcell; some for voice and lute and some for lute alone. It is a disc which aims to look beyond the standard repertoire for countertenor and lute and hopefully introduce listeners to some lesser known pieces which will delight and enthrall. Robin Blaze and Liz Kenny have performed these works together on the concert platform to great acclaim. “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 “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 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | A Noble Noyse of MusickeVocal and Instrumental Master Works of the English Renaissance
The Royal Wind Music, Paul Leenhouts This is superb collection of music from the time of King Henry VIII. The ensemble The Royal Wind
Music was formed in 1997 and they specialize in music performance and practice from the period
1500 to 1640. They play expertly and with a unique knowledge of this repertoire. | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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