Captivating medieval mastery
Charles J. Murnick | Shreveport,Louisiana | 06/11/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sadly,the amount of early music and of medieval ensembles that are still in existence has decreased since the 1990's.There was the Ferrara Ensemble directed by Crawford Young,La Reverdie,the Newberry Consort,and some others.I put Phillip Picket somewhere in the middle.Why compare? Because those who remain many times over dont equal such practitioners as The Early Music Consort of London directed by David Munrow,and Thomas Binkley.Pickett is good and reliable,and his use of Catherine Bott,an excellent soprano,is notable.
Without actually being in the Middle Ages,his ensemble seeks to recreate the love of music and does it with artistry.
Ars Subtilior is one of my personal favorites.Is it an emerald,a ruby,a diamond,a sapphire or a pearl? Hard to say,but I enjoy them very much,Artistry is why,and Catherine Bott's the other reason.
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