Customer Reviews

Shakespeare's Musick (Songs & Dances from Shakespeare's Plays) / Pickett, Musicians of the Globe

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

 

 

If someone had asked me before I listened to the music provided on this CD if I liked English music of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, I would have wrinkled my nose and said a resounding "Yuck!" I came across "Shakespeare's Musick" quite by accident at the local library. I was working on a project dealing with William Shakespeare and decided to take this CD home to see if it would fit into my theme. From the very first song to the very last, Philip Pickett and the Musicians of the Globe had me captivated. The sound is pure and lively and takes the listener on a ride that transcends time. It certainly made this listener a convert! I am now purchasing "Shakespeare's Musick" to add to my own collection and would highly recommend its addition to anyone elses. It will open your ears to a whole other world of sound -- sound that not only tickles the fancy, but enchants the soul.

Delicate, pure, beautiful music. He would certainly have loved it too, the way the musicians interpret his songs and dances. My teacher of the Music History class told me it would be very difficult if not impossible to find, but there was Amazon. And now I have a brand new audio CD to enjoy.

'Shakespeare's Musick' by Musicians of the Globe, lead by Philip Pickett is, like a similar recording, 'Songs and Dances from Shakespeare' by The Broadside Band' is a very nice recreation of what you would have heard at the Globe Theatre in London during or after the performances of Will Shakespeare's plays. I will also say that I believe it is just a bit better than the alternative recording if only for it's fewer 'Hey Nonnie Nonnies'. But, both recordings are not the best you can find of Renaissance music. Compared to excellent recordings of Renaissance dances and liturgical music, these seem to suffer from being out of context.

These are well worth the listen, but they will probably not set your toes to tapping as you might to performances by, for example, the Renaissance specialist band Piffaro.

I ordered this CD and two others by the Muscians of the Globe and do not
like any of them. The packages are opened now and cannot be returned. I recommend
that anyone try to listen to them first before ordering. Check out the local
library because that is where these are going to be donated. Over $70 wasted.
I am surprised they got any positive reviews, perhaps the reviews are by the
sellers? I heard one piece on classical radio station and made the error of thinking
all would be as good. They weren't.