Customer Reviews

Early Music Festival / David Munrow, Early Music Consort

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The first disc in this collection is delightful. David Munrow's recorder is a genuine treat. The vocal parts blend well and create a festive atmosphere. The Early Music Consort of London offer a splendid performance. By contrast, the second disc, which features Musica Reservata, is a bit disappointing. Two of the solo voices on disc two are harsh, detracting from an otherwise pleasant recording. They may fairly represent the performing style of sixteenth century Florence, but that is small consolation for the twentieth century ear. Nonetheless, the virtues of the first disc are sufficient to warrant purchasing this collection. Munrow is magnificent.

this is a superb recording of early music it is well performed and played. the first cd is all music from the 1300,s and the second is from the 1500,s if you like the kind of music this is the cd to get well worth it.

Italian culture during the period from the 14th to the 16th centuries was a whirlwind of developing literature and art, and during this period of history Florence was a political and cultural center to rival Milan or Verona.
I love medieval and renaissance music. They are the "roots" of the great classics centuries later. One does not cultivate a complete education of art by studying only such Masters as Van Gogh, Renoir, Picasso, Dali etc. So it is with fine music.
These CD's contain examples of Florentine musical composition from the 1300's and 1500's. The first CD, performed by David Munrow and the Early Music Consort, covers compositions from the 1300's, with many of the works of Francesco Landini, the most prolific Florentine composer of this period. The second covers music from the 1500's and is performed by John Beckett and the Musica Reservata. Here we can see the early development of both symphonic structure and opera.
Both discs are wonderful examples of different periods in the history of musical development, and performed by different conductors and artists. Therefore a comparison between the two is unfair and misplaced. David Munrow and the Early Music Consort are superb, as I have always found them to be, and John Beckett and the Musica Reservata are equally enjoyable.
If you appreciate early music you will find this recording to be a fantastic addition to your collection, and perhaps the definitive collection of early Italian music. If you are unfamiliar with early music or with Italian Renaissance music then these CD's would be a wonderful introduction.

This re-issue of recordings from the early 70's by the Early Music Consort Of London is,in my opinion,the best recordings of Italian Renaissance works.It is the favorite of my eary music discs,and includes music treasures from 14th and 16th century Florence. Great listening on both discs,and worth the money!

If you love the Renaissance with its discovery, rebirth, and rediscovery motives and moves, this CD is a marvelous way to round out some of the more significant music from Italian composers. Authenic sounding instruments and voices that are well-trained but not overly operatic sounding make each selection a gem. The engineering of the sound is perfect; no obnoxious reverberation effects. An excellent buy and one 2-disc CD set that you'll treasure both now and in the years to come.

Anyone curious about the evolution of Western music should check out EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL. I'm not a music scholar, but the performances appear to be appropriate in scale using appropriate period instruments. Recording quality is very good. Highly recommended.

David Munrow is always facinating, his life shrouded in mystery. His unfortunate death at age 34. We lost an important link to the past treasures with his passing.His credits abound Purcell anthems,TV soundtracks(Six Wives of Henry the VIII) books about ancient instruments, and some of the finest recorder playing ever. This is 2cd's worth of Renaissance Music. 14th&16th centuries Florentine. Saltarelli,trotti,istampias, dance music of its time. Vocals of astonishing beauty. James Bowman,Nigel Rogers, Christopher Hogwood and the others.

Remarkable! also recommended:Early Music Consort/Music of the Crusades with David Munrow.Bless you wherever you are.

The second disc of this double CD (Florentine Music of the 16th Century) features the music that accompanied the spectacular 'intermedii' or interval acts of a play performed during the nuptial celebrations of the Grand Duke Ferdinand of Florence and Maria of Lorraine in 1589. It is performed in a suitably lively manner by Musica Reservata of London, conducted by John Beckett, though there are sublime pieces too. 'Io son l'occello', for example, is a slow, haunting frottola written for private entertainment and is beautifully sung by Grayston Burgess.

The first disc is of interesting though more intimate Florentine music of the 14th century, performed by the Early Music Consort of London, directed by the highly talented David Munrow, who originally was a performer in Musica Reservata. It is interesting to compare the styles of performance, as Munrow did not completely favour Musica Reservata's deliberately harsh sound - his was more gentle. This first disc was recorded in 1969 (or earlier) and the second in 1968.