Customer Reviews

Early Venetian Lute Music

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a wonderful CD! Beautifully recorded in St. Andrews Church in Toddington, England! The quiet melodies of each piece are different enough that you will never get bored playing it over and over again!The next time you have a bad day, or come home from work some night with frayed nerves, try this!Turn out all of the lights, light a candle in a jar, preferably a scented one (sounds awfully 60's doesn't it!) put this CD on the stereo, get comfortable, let your mind drift back to the 16th century, watch the candle light flicker on the walls and ceiling and feel yourself relax!!!This CD is a lot cheaper than a bottle of tranquilizers or a visit to the shrink!BEWARE: Don't substitute Lute music played on an acoustic guitar! A Lute has different dynamics, nuances and colours!Good Listening To You!!!

I discovered this CD quite by accident. I had been listening to two solo albums by Jan Akkerman, at one time the guitarist in Focus. Amid all the rock and jazz-rock tunes, it was clear that his solo lute recordings were much the best aspects of the two CDs. I resolved to buy a John Dowland CD, and this album also came up in the search.
This has quickly become the favourite of my lute CDs. The others feature singing -- usually by a counter-tenor -- and while that is pleasant enough, it places the music firmly in another time.

Without the singing, we can place this album almost anywhere we want: ambient, rock, classical, music to work to. There's a nostalgic quality to several of the pieces here: they are so close to musical scales that they distantly remind me, as a child of the 1960s, of the themes to 'Camberwick Green' and 'Trumpton'. This is music that it is impossible to dislike.

Until we see the advent of 'The Only Lute Album You'll Ever Need', this has to be the main contender for that title. But please also look up 'John Dowland -- In Darkness Let Me Dwell' on ECM.

One of the best-buy i have made since long time ago. A high quality CD that can be enjoyed in every moment. Beautiful melodies, you can feel the ancient times with those, and you can try to imagine how could it be medieval life.

This is an excellent album. It's currently my favorite lute album. It's beautiful, relaxing, and enjoyable to listen to. This album is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys lute music.

Perfect. Timeless, gentle music. I have given many massages to this music (can't stand most new age stuff). Has the ancient sound that is exactly what I was looking for. Strong recommendation: Glenn Gould, consort of Musicke by William Byrd and Orlando Gibbons. One of my favorite albums EVER. Incredibly powerful, primal, simple.

first i want to thank the folks at naxos for all the great music they have provided over the years at a budget price. i have about 30 albums released by naxos, and they are all wonderful. this album of lute music is a classic listening experience for late nights or lazy sunday afternoons. it is a beautiful quiet trip back into the sounds of another time and place. recorded in a church in england, the acoustics of that building come through clearly, giving the overall sound a haunting tone. the lute playing is itself is gorgeous. nobody looking for a recording of lute playing could go wrong here. naxos also has released a series of solo lute albums featuring the works of sylvius leopold weiss, with robert barto performing, which i recommend heartily, as well. thanks again, naxos.

Elegant and precise, with a meditative feel. This is an album I will listen to over and over.

Love this CD - it is so ethereal and peaceful, it just floats around the room and transports you into a different time and place. Wonderful music.

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and variety of selections. Relaxing, almost takes you back to those early times. I recommend it!

I collect early music - it is my favorite genre. Simply put, this is a great collection, beautifully performed. I love it.