Henry's Music: Motets From A Royal Choirbook
Label: OBSIDIAN Catalog: CD705 Format: CD Alamire (vocal ensemble), Quintessential (cornets and sackbuts), Andrew Lawrence-King - Conductor1. O Christe Jesu, pastor bone (John Taverner) 2. King s Pavan (Anonymous) 3. England be glad (Anonymous) 4. Consort XII (Henry VIII) 5. Madame d amours (Anonymous) 6. Tandernaken (Henry VIII) 7. Salve radix (Sampson?) Motets from a Royal Choirbook (British Library, MS Roy. 11.e.xi) 8. Psallite felices (Sampson) - Motets from a Royal Choirbook 9. Sub tuum presidium (Benedictus de Opitiis) - Motets from a Royal Choirbook 10. Quam pulcra est (Sampson) - Motets from a Royal Choirbook 11. Hec est preclarum (Anonymous) - Motets from a Royal Choirbook 12. Beati omnes (Jacotin) - Motets from a Royal Choirbook 13. Consort XIII (Henry VIII) - Motets from a Royal Choirbook 14. O my heart (Henry VIII) - Motets from a Royal Choirbook 15. Helas madame (Henry VIII) - Motets from a Royal Choirbook 16. Without discord (Henry VIII) - Motets from a Royal Choirbook 17. Though some saith (Henry VIII) - Motets from a Royal Choirbook 18. Nil majus superi vident (Philippe Verdelot?) - Motets from a Royal Choirbook 19. Consort VIII (Henry VIII) - Motets from a Royal Choirbook 20. Adieu madame (Henry VIII) - Motets from a Royal Choirbook 21. Lauda vivi alpha et oo (Robert Fayrfax) - Motets from a Royal Choirbook Praised by Classic FM magazine as their disc of month for June 2009, 'Henry's Music' is a real find and a terrific recording of Renaissance rarities. Never intended to be the King of England, Herny VIII was given a true liberal arts education, focusing on Music, Sports and Religion. He ascended to the throne only after his brother Arthur died, and his love for the arts remained. What this brought was a period where music, drama, and art flourished in England. Henry himself actually was an accomplished composer, lute player, and sight-singer. 'Henry's Music' is literally that; selections of music composed by Henry and a few contemporaries. Presented here are pieces such as Helas Madame and En Vray Amoure, as well and some instrumental consort pieces he wrote. A glaring omission is Henry's most famous piece: Pastime With Good Company. Regardless, this recording gives great insight into the musical mind of one of the most recognizable figures in all of history. The Alamire ensemble sings wonderfully, and the cornets and sackbuts add perfect character to these works. A great surpise, and a marvelous representation of the new Obsidian Label. Price: $27.98 |