Christopher Simpson: The Monthes

Christopher Simpson (Composer), Sonnerie (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Sonnerie
• Composer: Christopher Simpson
• Audio CD (May 20, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Angel Records
• ASIN: B000007QQ9
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #594,749 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Monthes: I. January in C

2. The Monthes: II. February in C

3. The Monthes: III. March in C

4. Ground in a

5. The Monthes: IV. April in a

6. The Monthes: V. May in a

7. The Monthes: VI. June in A

8. Ste in D: Pavan

9. Ste in D: Almaine

10. Ste in D: Courante

11. The Monthes: VII. July in d

12. The Monthes: VIII. August in g

13. The Monthes: IX. September in g

14. Ground in B flat

15. The Monthes: X. October in F

16. The Monthes: XI. November in F

17. The Monthes: XII. December in D

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great performance, good music., March 5, 2008

By 

W. Crone "classical junkie" (Northern CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Christopher Simpson: The Monthes (Audio CD)

I would like to start by saying I love English consort music for viols. Henry Purcell, Matthew Locke, Henry & William Lawes, Thomas Tomkins...these composers produced some outstanding examples of consort music covering roughly the entire 17th century.

With my love of consort music I anxiously awaited delivery of this disc. The performance is great. These players are experienced in early music. Unfortunately, I was less-than-thrilled with the work itself. The harmonies were not what I was anticipating; they were very plain and began to wear on me before long. That's not to say that being conservative is a characteristic of bad music. There's plenty of music out there that's either formally or harmonically simplistic (or both) and is still wonderful (Mozart K.545 for instance).

Matthew Locke wrote music calling for the same forces and I find it so beautiful. There is so much more variety (the spice of life) than in these works. I suppose I shouldn't be comparing this work to those of other composers, but those other works have spoiled me. That's why three stars. I would recommend it to anyone who loves consort music and I do like the album, but it won't see much play compared with many other discs.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly enjoyable...five stars, May 1, 2008

By 

FL Traverso (Exeter, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christopher Simpson: The Monthes (Audio CD)

Sunny music doesn't just deserve 3 stars...! So what if the harmonies remain on the safe side I still detect plenty of invention and flair in both the music itself and in the performance as well. Perfect music to do anything to as a truly smooth background, not to mention Sonnerie's impeccable realisation of the score.