Immerse yourself in the rich, resonant world of Renaissance chamber music with Fretwork's captivating album, "Music for Viols: Dances, Fantasies and Consort Songs." Released on January 1, 1992, under the Warner Classics label, this collection offers a sublime exploration of medieval and early baroque compositions, performed with exquisite precision and artistry by the renowned viol consort, Fretwork.
The album spans a diverse range of pieces, from the intricate dances and fantasies of John Dowland and William Byrd to the elaborate consort songs and pavans of John Jenkins and William Lawes. Each track is a testament to the ensemble's mastery of the viol, a bowed string instrument that produces a warm, mellow tone, perfectly suited to the intricate polyphony of the Renaissance period.
Highlights include Dowland's haunting "Lachrimae Antiquae" and "Pavan Lachrimae Coactae" from his seminal collection "Lachrimae, or Seaven Teares," as well as Byrd's profound "Elegy on the death of Thomas Tallis." The album also features a selection of Lawes' Consort Sets, showcasing the ensemble's ability to navigate the complex contrapuntal writing of the English baroque.
With a duration of just over an hour and eight minutes, this album is a compact yet comprehensive journey through the world of Renaissance chamber music. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, Fretwork's "Music for Viols: Dances, Fantasies and Consort Songs" promises a rewarding and enriching listening experience.
Vinylscout