Search - William Lawes, Gustav Leonhardt, René Jacobs :: William Lawes: The Royal Consort & Lute Songs - René Jacobs / Gustav Leonhardt

When Man ffor Sinne Thy Judgement Feeles - Yeah!

Robert E. Murena Jr. | Fairfield, CT United States | 08/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you were to strip Bach Vivaldi or Telemann down of their more excessive musical finery and seek the essence of their music the music of William Lawes would be quite similar to your result. Not that the latter three composers are bothersome in their composition: I love them all however in terms of essence of structure Lawes provides a simple clean beautiful compositions that are engaging and could be considered the first among the truly baroque composers. This CD is a great start into any collection of Lawes: The SEON label which produces only great recording and this is among them. If you are a fan of Baroque and Early music this is certainly an important CD to own.



What separates Lawes' compositions from music of the Renaissance includes use of the louder and more dynamic violin over the viol. In Lawes time both were being used but obviously the violin won out. Also Lawes fancied use of the obbligato keyboard and when he did compose a part for the Lute which was popular in the era of Shakespeare and Elizabeth I he relegated it to an accompanying part.



Technically the album is brilliant and dynamic. The sound is as perfect as possible for a 1979 recording. That being said this CD is not a complete set of the Royal consort or the Lute songs (that would cover several CDs) but it is a terrific mix that is enjoyable and really well done.



I hope you enjoy it



Ted Murena

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