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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | I heard a Voice - The Music of the Golden AgeA stunning selection of anthems from the Tudor Times
“Fatigue seems to haunt this worthy performance. Stephen Cleobury's deliberate tempos tend to dissolve the impact of the text… - and impede any build-up towards cadential climaxes. Fretwork plays elegantly, but response to the text only listlessly.” BBC Music Magazine, November 2007 *** “…the instrumental pieces… are expertly played by the viol consort Fretwork, which also accompanies the verse anthems. The famous choir sings with full-bodied tone and unfailing precision.” Gramophone Magazine, December 2007 “I would happily sit in King's College Chapel listening to this choir sing for the rest of my days.” The Times “[Fretwork's] presence is the real strength of this disc. Viol playing had been part of musical education since Henry VIII had engaged a viol consort in 1540, and the choristers at Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral would have all received lessons. So, this disc gives us a far better idea of the sound world of these three composers than is often offered on choral anthem collections.” Charlotte Gardner, bbc.co.uk, 16th October 2007 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Grant The King A Long Life: English Anthems & Instrumental Music
Thomas Weelkes was a notorious drunkard and blasphemer, in regular conflict with the authorities of Chichester Cathedral where he was organist, Informator Choristarum, and a singing-man from 1602 until his death in 1623. At least that is his modern reputation. But regardless of the man’s personal flaws, his music firmly stands as sublime. He was the most notable composer of madrigals in his day, and one of the most prolific composers of church music. Featured here is a selection of his finest full and verse anthems as well as instrumental music for organ, viols, and solo voice, including a number of anthems in praise of King James I of England. “the exquisite playing of Fretwork, especially in the three Pavans, is of such quality that it alone is well worth the price of the disc. And, given their own moment in the limelight in two of Weelkes's voluntaries, the two organists emerge as deeply sympathetic to this delightful music.” Gramophone Magazine, July 2012 “For the organ-accompanied verse anthems the soloists have been drawn from the choir...while in anthems such as 'What joy so true' the women affect the usual choirboyish quality though without the dangerously fragile intonation that usually accompanies such a strategy; the result is, well, affecting...Fretwork's highly musical phrasing complemented by dusky timbres and sharply delineated textures return to delight both ear and brain” International Record Review, July 2012 “There's both freshness and fire in these accounts, Skinner underscoring the music's dramatic and madrigalian qualities, and enhancing dynamic and textural contrasts to elating effect.” BBC Music Magazine, September 2012 ***** | | | (also available to download from $10.75) | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.) |
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| |  | Weelkes: Anthems
“The recording of Anthems by Thomas Weelkes is especially welcome as he is not over-represented in the catalogue...Excellent sound…” Classic CD, September 1996 | | | (also available to download from $6.00) | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.) |
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