Search - William [Composer] Byrd, Robin Blaze, Concordia :: William Byrd: Consort Songs

A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 01/18/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"MUCH OF THE SACRED ON THIS RECORDING SO BLAZE BECOMES ABLAZE! (NOT HIS USUAL DELIVERY,WHICH IS OFTEN RATHER BLAND!)



The consort songs of William Byrd reveal both sides of his creative personality; that is 'the romantic Catholic figure' and the 'abstract expressionist'. He was a connoisseur of the vocal sound and was therefore more concerned in framing his music to the 'life of the words' by using the expressive power of the voice itself.



Byrd's emphasis on sheer beautiful sound as it applies to the professional voice is very evident on this album. Two songs to take note of because of their significance in England when Byrd wrote them are: "Come to me Grief Forever" which was about the death of Sir Philip Sidney, the artist-hero whose tragic demise at the battle of Zutphen inspired national mourning; and "ye sacred muses" written as a special tribute to his musical mentor Sir Thomas Tallis who died in 1585.



Robin Blaze interprets these songs very skillfully. There is much of the sacred going on here as well as the romantic, but it all sounds good and is very enjoyable to hear. The album opens up with "Rejoice unto the Lord" sung exceptionally well by Blaze to the expert accompaniment of viols and lute. One of my personal favorites "Lullaby: My Sweet little baby" is also included and is well-done. All in all and excellent disc!"