Customer Reviews

O Lusty May: Renaissance Songs of Spring

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

 

 

Frisky songs of love and springtime in the form of madrigals, ballads and jaunty dances. I can't help but smile when listening to the rich, cheerful, heartfelt music of the Toronto Consort. On this recording in particular, the recorder virtuosity of Allison Melville stands out as she imitates birds in several numbers with well-placed chirps and flutter-tonguing. Tenor Paul Jenkins also gets a chance to shine as an improvisational harpsichord soloist. This spirited ensemble continues their seasonal approach to recording with their subsequent release, "The Little Barley-Corne: Winter Revels from the Renaissance". For other fun madrigals from the Renaissance, you might also enjoy the King's Singers in "All At Once Well Met: English Madrigals", and "The King's Singers' Madrigal History Tour: Italy, England, France, Spain, Germany" (with the Consort of Musicke).

This music selection is extremly fun and light hearted. It has not left my stereo for 4 months. The vocals are amazing, especially the first soprano solos. I am using this CD during my wedding reception this summer which has a Renaissance theme. Two thumbs up!

I know, I know...May is still away off. But March is doing its best to destroy things around here right now, so I'm still looking forward to May...And this is the perfect music for its coming. The Toronto Consort are excellent musicians: another trophy in Dorian's stable of remarkable talent. If you've never heard this music--get it. You will not be sorry.

The instrumental tracks on this CD are lovely, but the vocals leave a lot to be desired in terms of style. They have taken very much of a choral approach- too formal a sound, in my opinion (stiff, formal, acoustics very much like in a church). If you enjoy renaissance vocals as recorded by Custer LaRue of the Baltimore consort, then this is not your style.