Customer Reviews

Dowland: Consort Music and Songs

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

 

 

If you are a classic or pop fan (or both), and you are not familiar with early music, buy this CD. After you will become addicted to it (as I had) you will rush to buy other CDs of this composer and period (as I did). It contains a balanced repertoire of galliards and other viols' music, songs and lute pieces, and all possible combinations of them. While not making any allowance for popularity, it does contain several timeless pieces that will nail you from first listening (try "lasso vita mia", for example), and the other pieces will get under your skin after several more. The sound of the Rose Consort of Viols is amazingly warm, makes you wonder why classical composers ever stopped writing for these instruments. Dowland's music is beautifully polyphonic, yet it never quits being melodious and lyrical. In fact, for pop fans it might be very enjoyable to discover Bach in a natural way by starting with Dowland, and not the other way around. This CD is not perfect: I would like my galliards with a bit more swing to them, and perhaps this is why this CD seems to over-emphasize the melancholic side of Dowland. Overall, however, this one is still closer to five stars than four, in the disc library of any music fan.

The Rose Consort of Viols lacks the richness of tone of Fretwork and the incisiveness of rhythm of Phantasm, the two finest gamba ensembles on the block. There are some soft spots in their ensemble technique, to be heard especially in the lack of dance-step in their galliards and in the general 'sameness' of their interpretations of the sweetly sung songs included in this collection. Dowland has been both lauded and lambasted for his melancholy, which is just a little too evident for my taste on this disk. I'd like to hear his sprightly figures tossed off with more bravura. Fortunately the lutenist, Jacob Heringman, who supports most of the consort pieces has a fine forthright touch and keeps the momentum up when the gambas begin to sound introverted. On the whole, this is an adequate but not outstanding musical offering.

I've had this CD for years, and it's lovely. The instrumentation and vocals sound authentic and true to the spirit of the original songs.

This is a wonderful bargain collection of early music. Dowland, it has to be said, was not known as a composer of cheerful music, more the reverse, as the title of one song suggests: 'Semper Dowland semper dolens'. So if you're in need of some perky lively songs, look elsewhere. However, if you want to experience a wonderfully rich, and superbly played collection of very authentic sounding early songs and instrumental pieces, look no further.
There are melancholy sounding viol and lute pieces, some lute solos, coupled with some ravishing singing by Catherine King, whose voice floats above the accompaniement with a blackbird's melodic richness. Throughout, instrumental pieces and songs are beautifully balanced, and almost give the impression that you've travelled back in time to hear these dances and tales of love lost, in their authentic setting.
Tired of 'happy clappy'? Give yourself the perfect antidote, and get to time travel for free. Strongly recommended for all this who need shade as well as light in their lives.

An excellent sampler of Dowland's repertoire. The Rose Consort of Viols plays wonderfully and are well supported by a warm and immediate recording. I have spent many hours enjoying this album. Naxos strikes gold once again. Highly recommended!