Save around 22% with
the retailers listed alongside

The exquisite combination of counter-tenor and lute is a remarkable marriage of beauty and harmony. It takes an enterprising company like Hyperion to issue such a ravishing disc and after repeated listenings, I have nothing but praise for the project as a whole. There are thirty tracks in this well-filled CD clocking in at just over seventy minutes coming from a plethora of composers such as the ever-present Henry Purcell and the relatively obscure John Danyel. There are also a few lute solos with Purcell's famous 'Riggadoon' particularly enticingly played by Elizabeth Kenny. Robin Blaze could be portrayed as the countertenor of the moment and his singing cannot be faulted with a secure range and effortless transitions from bawdy to serious text. There are not many masterpieces; this is essentially just enjoyable music but Purcell's 'By beauteous softness' is particularly enchanting and holds dramatic depth especially in the final lines. Dowland's music is searching and involved especially 'In darkness let me dwell' whilst the easygoing charm of John Banister's 'Dry these eyes' makes for a refreshing alternative. The longest item by far is obviously John Danyel's 'Can doleful notes?', seven minutes of delicacy and intricate beauty that is quite enchanting. There is also space for works by William Lawes and Pietro Reggi, the latter another Italian settler in England. Full texts and extensive notes by the lutenist herself are an essential part of the package. Those who have listened to 'The Noble Bass Viol' will perhaps know what to expect and I cannot but heartily recommend this disc to the lover of the genre, it certainly provided a happy and peaceful afternoon's listening for me!

Reviewer

Gerald Fenech

Performance:

Sound:

Reviewer

Gerald Fenech

Performance:

Sound:

Reviews from previous months