1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply Splendid, September 20, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Lute Works (Audio CD)
I only purchased this CD to satisfy my curiosity as to where I had seen this picture before. It was driving me batty. Beyond that, I really didn't expect too much. Sure, I enjoy the music of the New World Renaissance Band, and all, but this is simply lute songs, no singing, no harp, no cello, nothing else. So, I tore off the wrappings, let the CD fall to the floor and looked for the picture credits. Ah ha!! The cover is a detail of the Ambassadors, a picture ripe with Renaissance symbolism, if ever there was one. Recalling that the painting shows the lute with a broken string, to symbolize discord, my expectations were right down there on the floor with the CD. So, I put it away until vacation.
Well, what a pleasant surprise -- there is really wonderful music contained on this CD. Despite the choice of cover picture, there is only hauntingly sweet and melodious sound herein. Devoid of distractions like other instruments, or voice, these works take on a special quality all their own. Skillfully performed by Stefano Pardo, these songs display a remarkable range of emotions. An exciting surprise was, "My Lady Carey's Dumpe", (dumpe being a doleful song). Which lady Carey is this? Mary (nee Boleyn) Carey? Or, her daughter, Catherine? Whatever caused the lady's sorrow? Was it being cast aside as Henry VIII's mistress in favor of your younger sister? Or, maybe it was watching your brother and that same sister die by beheading within a few days of each other as in Mary Carey's case. Or was Catherine Carey just finding out that the King just could be her father? Hm. Or, is this some other lady Carey saddened (most likely) by some man's disappointing behavior?
There's nothing disappointing to me about this CD. Highly recommended.
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