Customer Reviews

Armada: Music from the Courts of England and Spain

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This album contains the work of a great many composers, mostly from Spain and England, spanning several genres and two musical periods. For all that, the works complement one another extremely well, there are no jarring transitions, and nothing sticks out unpleasantly. The liner notes leave much to be desired, however. Still, this 2-disc set is a bargain. Fretwork is a masterful ensemble and all of the pieces are skillfully performed. You won't be disappointed by this pleasant listen.

FRETWORK WITHOUT CHANCE: NOT A HAPPY SCENARIO! THEY NEED EACH OTHER!!!!I
In July, 1986, the five members of Fretwork, a consort of viols, gave their Wigmore Hall debut to great public and critical acclaim, and shortly afterwards were awarded an Arts Council grant to explore further areas of the vast repertory for viol consort.

Throughout their many performing years Fretwork has worked extensively with the countertenor, Michael Chance, the lutenist, Christopher Wilson and the harpsichordist, Paul Nicholson. Together they have made several recordings, and continue to do so.

In the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries the consort of viols was the most common instrumental ensemble in England. The two principal types of music for viol consort were fantasias, or 'fantasies', and works based on a 'cantus firmus'. Some leading composers of consort music included William Byrd and the Italian-born Alfonson Ferrabosco. These, and many others are included on these two discs.

This is indeed a good representation of music from England and Spain and it is a bargain to get 2 cds for this price, CD 1 includes music by: William Byrd, Elway Bevin, Antonio de Cabezon, Hernando de Cabezon, Esteban Daza, Miguel de Fuenllana, Lopez, Diego Ortiz, Robert Parson, Picforth, Robert White.

But please know that Michael Chance sings only 6 songs on CDl and none on CD 2. And only 4 of the 6 are "new", so know that before you purchase this disc if you are buying it only to hear him. Of course, the 4 new songs are quite interesting and I probably would buy it at this price to get them in my collection. The new songs are: "In Angel's Weed; "Pour Down,You pow'rs divine";"Morenica dame"; and "Quiente hizo". The 2 known songs (to Me) "Rejoice unto the Lord" and "Come to me Grief Forever".

CD 2 includes music by: John Bull, William Byrd, John Dowland, Alfonso Holborne, William Lawes. The tunes that Chance sings are very attractive and he sings them with his usual expertise. Moreover, FRETWORK IS A TALENTED AND EXPERIENCED performing group, so when you combine them with the "golden" voice of Michael Chance, you know you have good listening in store.

This is a reissue of 2 of Fretwork's CDs from 1988: Armada and Heart's Ease. Fretwork is a group of 5 viols plus lute/vihuela and harpsichord/organ, with the countertenor singing a handful of songs on the first disc only. Recommended.