COMPOSERS: Dowland; Byrd; Lawes
LABELS: Virgin Virgo
WORKS: Dowland; Byrd; Lawes
PERFORMER: Fretwork
CATALOGUE NO: VJ 7 59691 2 DDD (1988-91)
Fretwork has done much to bring cheer to a repertoire which can often seem forbidding. This broad anthology of Golden Age viol music shows the group at its best. Tempi are creditably upbeat and the recording brings out the rich complexity of the contrapuntal lines. The stylish singing of Michael Chance adds welcome variety to the succession of consort pieces. Jan Smaczny