Customer Reviews

The Oxford Book of English Madrigals

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This is the definitive volume for all singers of 16th and early 17th century English madrigals. Ideal for small groups who want to sing a range of madrigals (both merry and sorrowful) on the hoof without having to juggle separate sheets and volumes. All the favourites are here. The typeface is clear and the A5 format easy to handle. The collection is arranged alphabetically but there is a usful listing by composer for those putting programmes together. Philip Ledger's editing is light of touch and should not offend the purists.

What a great source for any madrigal group! This book contains a cappella madrigals of 3, 4, 5 and 6 parts (mostly SATB or SSATB) by the major composers of English madrigals, such as Byrd, Farmer, Gibbons, Morley, Ward, Weelkes & Wilbye. If you sing or study this type of music, you must have this book.

Also check out "English and Italian Renaissance Madrigals" (CD) by the Hilliard Ensemble -- the Oxford book and the English Madrigals CD of this wonderful 2-CD set have 16 songs in common.

If you like singing madrigals, and have at least three friends all of different vocal parts, you are set for some singing fun with this book. It has most of the more popular English madrigals from the late 15th to early 17th century.

An excellent, well-edited anthology! I appreciate the critical comments in the appendix. Also helpful is the given number of voices for each madrigal listing in the index. A perfect volume for my university "Vocal Chamber Ensemble".

This book is great for any madrigal choir to use. It has selections for SAB through SSATBB.

The critical notes and selection, as well as the editing, make this (with its companion volumes The Oxford Book of Italian Madrigals and The Oxford Book of French Chansons)the book of choice for madrigal singers. The only problems I find with the book are the tiny print, the pseudo-alphabetical arrangement, and the binding which is quite tight.

The scholarship is flawless and it definitely belongs on the shelf of any madrigal group's artistic director. You really can't hope to have a madrigal group without these books.