Customer Reviews

Christopher Simpson: The Monthes

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.