Customer Reviews

HUME: Captain Humes Poeticall Musicke, Vol. 2

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A few weeks ago I purchased both vol.1 and vol. 2 of this performance of Hume's Poeticall Musick of 1607. The gambists, the two women who form Les Voix Humaines, are absolutely superb. The recording captures the wonderful tone of their instruments, one of which is a Barak Norman restored by William Monical. The focus of the recording is the two viols, following Hume's intent stated in his preface to the work about it being best played on two bass viols. The lutenists play beautifully, as well. Textures approaching broken consort occur occasionally, but the predominant sound on the recording is that of the viol. The interpretations are idiomatic and imaginative. If your particular interest is in the viol, then you should have this recording without a doubt. If you are a fan of Elizabethan music in general, you also can't go wrong. Thank you Naxos for so fine a recording at so reasonable a price!

very likely music for lovers of music from this period and did on period instruments

Hume was a for-profit man of arms during his day who moonlighted as a viol composer, and a fine musician he was. These solid performances show Hume at his wittiest. Rival composer and lute maestro John Dowland was threatened enough by these compositions to write treatises against Hume. Give it a try.

-Il Condottiero