The first thing that
struck me on hearing Emma Kirkby’s An
Elizabethan Songbook is how, although
the voice comes across as slightly harsh
- probably exacerbated by the recording
– it is certainly incredibly penetrating!
- she still conveys a wonderful sweetness.
Her intonation is absolutely spot-on,
her enunciation is perfect - it needs
to be, as no words are given in the
sleeve notes - and her tremendous and
intimate experience, knowledge, and
love of this repertoire shine through.
The songs range from
the familiar, such as Francis Pilkington’s
Rest Sweet Nymphs to the lesser-known.
Many are in praise of God (such as Thomas
Campion’s Come let us Sound),
others are about the frailty of humanity
(Robert Jones’ If in this flesh),
or both (John Dowland’s beautiful In
this trembling Shadow). Typically,
some are love songs – of both a tender
nature (as Campion’s When to her
Lute), and more lugubrious in outlook,
such as Dowland and Thomas Morley’s
versions of I saw my lady weepe.
The wonderful power of music is represented,
too, in Richard Edwards’ opening Where
grypinge griefs, and Pilkington’s
Rest sweet nymphs.
The sleeve-notes are
not very full but make up for their
lack of volume in their interest value.
They are by Kirkby herself, and give
a rather different perspective to the
usual composer biographies and musical
discussions and dissections. Kirkby
concentrates instead on the poetic aspects
and the subjects of the songs rather
than the music itself. She rather fascinatingly
notes, for example, that Campion has
set his work Come let us sound
in the Greek Sapphic metre. One can
hear how this matching of long and short
notes and syllables lends the song a
beautifully flowing and gentle air.
This a wonderful disc.
I particularly enjoyed John Bartlett’s
Sweete birdes deprive us never
with its wonderful bird-sound word-painting.
Kirkby’s clear, pure voice is well complemented
by Anthony Rooley’s sympathetic lute
accompaniment. The songs are all delightful,
and Kirkby captures the nuances of the
texts brilliantly. Highly recommended.
Em Marshall
Emma Kirby, soprano 
