Search - Fretwork :: Sit Fast

A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 03/10/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"IF YOU READ THE LINER NOTES BEFORE HEARING, YOU MAY FIND THIS DISC TO BE MOST ENDEARING!(maybe)



Viols are bowed guitars-they have six strings and frets, a similar tuning, and they share a common ancestor, the Spanish 'vihuela'. Viols were the stringed instrument of choice during the sixteenth century. Fretwork is a viol consort of noted skill who have a scholarly approach to whatever they take on.



And in this case, it was presented to them in 1993, by the Director of the South Bank centre, Graham Sheffield, who was preparing a celebration to commemorate the approaching Tercentenary of Purcell's tragically early death in 1695. Sheffield requested that they perform some of Purcell's works but suggested that they be juxtopsed with specially commissioned new works for viol consort. Thus the twelve pieces on this recording 'Sit Fast'. The 'new' compositions were to somehow relate to a work by Purcell, and on the printed page they do, but my ear is obstinate at times, and I still find the association remote, but others more adept may be more skilled than I.



On this recording made in April and May of 1996, there is a large variety of material, most of it oriented to string technique. Some of the modern works includes voice, but the string ensemble is always more or less typical in its deployment.



The contrast with 'true' consort repertory as well as with the 15th century arrangements is notable depending on the piece, but the program as a whole has a nice coherence. Seven pieces are divided into two sections (for unknown reasons), but not played twice.



The vocalists (and skilled they are to sing this genre) are Michael Chance(countertenor) who sings 'A sinking love' by Tan Dun (1967) and I can't relate to this one at all and 'Put away forbidden playthings' by Elvis Costello and this one I rather like!. Paul Agnew (tenor) sings 'in dreaming' by Sally Beamish and I do like this one.



There is enough on here that one can enjoy without working too hard at it, but I could only muster up 4 stars and not because the performance was not good, but my lack of understanding of some of the 'modern' pieces is at fault. The performance deserves 10 stars because it must be incredibly difficult to perform some of this music. Vocalists out there try singing 'A Sinking Love' and let me know how you made out!!!!

"