Customer Reviews

The Medieval Lady

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I confess, I purchased this CD to listen to one tune only. I have often run across references to "O Deathe, Rock Me Asleep", in my Renaissance readings, and thought I should finally hear a version of it. The song is attributed to Anne Boleyn, probably written in the Tower in mid May 1536, while awaiting her execution. It is not clear whether George Boleyn, Anne's brother, beheaded two days before his sister, helped with the composition. The two had often worked together on other entertainment in a happier vein.

I have read that the song in both words and composition is not really of an artistic quality, and was tempted to agree on first hearing this very doleful ditty. Despite the heartbreakingly lovely quality of the soprano singing the lyrics and the well played lute and bass accompanying the singer, the song at first hearing can seem to be quite wretched. However, I listened to it again and again, and really must disagree with those who would seek to sever all artistic merit as concerns the composition and wording of the piece.

A sense of impending doom is clearly conveyed in the mournful march of the bass. The wording, well, this is a song about Death and Dying, so the subject rather determines the word choices. (I must add that `misery', `destiny' and `remedy' are all pronounced so as to rhyme with die... die... die... die)

The beautiful soprano voice r-rolls most of the r's, giving a r-rich r-r-regal construction to the song. It was customary never to say aught but good things about the monarch who had sentenced you to death while you were on the scaffold, and this song generally follows that edict. However, a few well placed digs are evident in such phrases as, "my guiltless ghost", and "that I should taste this misery". Altogether a most interesting work.

Good antidotes for this tune can be found in the light "Tower Hill", (if one does not dwell on what often took place on the Tower grounds), and the delightful musical selection "Trotto" would please those who cut their medieval musical teeth on the New World Renaissance Band. The album insert offers thumbnail biographical sketches of all the female composers. That prolific artist, "Anonymous", naturally, does not have a bio. But, Anonymous does contribute to the album, in particularly a very different baroque rendition of "Greensleeves".

Overall Rating: R-r-recommended!

Having studied under both Ms. Sandman and Mr. Crocker in the past, I am not at all surprised by the lovliness of this recording. Their expertise is clearly audible.