Customer Reviews

William Lawes: Consort Music for Viols, Lutes & Theorbos

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This is a richly melodic collection of early music, but in addition to the usual viols and lutes, it also features theorbos (like a cross between a lute and giant guitar), and organ. This consequently gives a greater richness and variety to these dance-like pieces, which vary from rustic earthiness to courtly elegance, or the yearning pavan. These are warmly immediate pieces, full of joyful rhythmns, underpinned by the rich variety of the writing, and the quality of the performances. An essential collection of early music, and a perfect introduction for a beginner to this neglected and rewarding world.

William Lawes is a master of English Renaissance composer who composed for the court. This disc contain a nice collection of consort music includinging his masterpiece the Royal Consorts all masterfully played by the Rose Consort of Viols . One of my favorite pieces are the Duets for lute which I have not heard elsewhere. Highly recommended for all listeners of classical music.

I love this cd because the music has substance. It gets the substance from Lawes use of counterpoint and fugue to increase the complexity of the music. This is a nice cd. Most music I hear from this period in England has a similar level of complexity.