Customer Reviews

English Renaissance Music

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4 star:		(2)
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The composers of 16th century England were able to take the music of other countries and produce something uniquely their own. So, too, has Canadian Brass taken English Renaissance music and made it into something wonderfully different. Immediately accessible (and acceptable) to modern ears, these tunes are a splendid treat. Almans and Galliards take on a whole new flavor when done entirely by brass instruments.

The incomparable Canadian Brass make this album a rare treat. From the first notes of Holborne's "Galliard" to the magnificent complexity of Byrd's "Fitzwilliam Suite", their renditions are sheer delight. The music is both relaxing and enjoyably stimulating. Repeated hearings allow the listener to discover some hidden turn or embellishment that was not noticed before, or to appreciate again the antiphonal and complementary interplay of the instruments in the antique harmonies they create. A most enjoyable recording.

I got this CD quite a while ago, and I still listen to it almost daily. Best at night in a candlelit room while it's raining sipping fine wine and reminising of the Renaissance festival! (wierd, I know. But that's just me) If you have an interest in this time period, you won't regret buying this CD.

This fantastic brass quintet has very black & white reputation: on one hand they single-handledly achieved multi-cultural revolution by visiting China in mid-1970s "cultural exchange" and were hugely responsible for renewed local interest for western music/art in general,had sold-out Carnegie Hall concerts and best-selling records for more than 30 years now,on the other hand their music approach (every single music genre imaginable) brought them criticism for "using gimmicks".
Quick look at their discography shows why is it so - "Rag-Ma-Taz","Fats Waller Greatest Hits","Vivaldi: Four Seasons","Canadian Brass Plays Gershwin","Wagner for Brass","Go for Baroque!" - but as we all know,classical audience can be very snooty bunch who smirk and dismiss anything that even looks like mainstream success,so never mind them - I say "Go for Canadian Brass!" (pardon the pun) because everything I heard was always very proffesional,enthusiastic,spirited and it is clear they love music no matter what genre.
On this particular album they decided to visit English royal castles of reneissance time - that means music by Anthony Holborne,Orlando Gibbons,William Byrd and Thomas Morley (to name just a few composers who lived off King's protection and composed specially for banquets,dances and ceremonies),it all sounds very much like background to some historical movie but it is lovely and combines somber melancholic ballads with some jolly,uninhibited dances where ladies probably let their hair down and danced the night away.
Music-wise it is very possibly that this is not alltogether historicaly accurate,for simple reason that Canadian Brass are using different instruments and had adjusted music to how they play today - what they DO is,they do follow directions very closely and with great skill and proper seriousness they describe what music of the time sounded like,in their own way.
I absolutely loved it from the first note,it is a great music for when I'm doing my little history research and no matter what critics say Canadian Brass are always welcome guests to my house,in fact I believe this diversity and ecclectism probably makes their concerts a joy.
Sadly,no John Dowland but he was on lute so probably not fitting in here.Besides,William Byrd is the closest similar composer anyway.

I am not much into arrengements of
great works, but I must admit that
the music on this CD never sounded
better, and will not sound any
better than this. Canadian Brass
did a wonderful job when they
recorded this music, is as
if the composers knew that some
day their music would be arrenged for brass
and again it might be the universality
of the music it self that it or the
simple way that Canadian Brass played or made it sound
or more simple, a combination of all. Whatever
it was the results were glorious.

Even today there are some really good deals out there and this CD is one of them. It delivers the technique of a highly acclaimed & proficient musical group (Canadian Brass)performing an excellent selection of stellar Renaissance composers: Holborne, Gibbons, Byrd, Holmes, etc. The music is powerful, stately & elegant. I know that people might have a tendency to see the great price for this CD and assume it's probably not so hot...Wrong! This infusion of historic grandeur from our past is way more valuable than the cost of the CD.

Best of the Canadian Brass
The Essential Canadian Brass
Canadian Brass: Legends
The Canadian Brass Plays the Pachelbel Canon - Great Baroque Music

I bought this CD to have some authentic English Renaissance music in my collection,
and fell in love with it. The Earl of Oxford March is particularly appealing.

I listen to this CD about once a week while riding to work so that I can keep my sanity. It was a gift from my daughters that keeps on giving.