CHELYS WITH HELEN CHARLSTON - THE HONOUR OF WILLIAM BYRD
If musical output gives us an indication of the person within, then who is this man who is both devoutly Catholic yet clearly a favourite of the Protestant Queen who made his faith illegal, a serious character capable of weighty contemplation but also sharp wit and humour, and the loyal friend who wrote so personally and touchingly of the loss of his teacher and friend Thomas Tallis? This disc explores the proud Englishman, devoted friend, loyal subject, and faithful servant who was William Byrd.
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THE LINAROL CONSORT WITH JAMES GILCHRIST - INN STETTER HUT
The second volume of viol music composed for the wealthiest and most influential of German merchants of the sixteenth century, Jacob Fugger, who is held to be one of the wealthiest individuals in history.
Recorded from a new edition of a manuscript held in the vast collection of the National Library of Austria, this rare recording champions viol consort pieces from some of the greatest German, Flemish and French composers of the time.
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MUSICA SECRETA - MOTHER SISTER DAUGHTER
Music honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary and communities of sisters in early modern Europe, and a new work by Joanna Marsh on a poem by Norfolk poet, Esther Morgan. Motets attributed to Suor Leonora d’Este, Lucrezia Borgia’s daughter, and an Office of St Clare from the convent of Galileo’s daughter, Suor Maria Celeste Galilei.
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CHELYS CONSORT OF VIOLS - PURCELL FANTASIAS AND IN NOMINES
The complete Purcell fantasias and in nomines, plus selected theatre pieces.
Chelys Consort explores the music’s expressive intimacy with a sensibility that touches our deepest thoughts and emotions - BBC Music Magazine *****
The haunting sound of gut strings has rarely been captured with such beguiling fidelity - The Strad
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THE LINAROL CONSORT - La La Hö Hö
A collection of German, Flemish and French pieces from the early 16th century by well–known composers including Josquin, Senfl and Pierre de la Rue, and lots of hidden gems.
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CHELYS CONSORT OF VIOLS & FIERI CONSORT - AMAVI
Michael East's 5-part fantasias, with selected verse anthems and madrigals, concluding with a newly commissioned piece by Jill Jarman.
The overall sound made the Fieri Consort and Chelys Consort of Viols is bliss - Gramophone
Full details and audio here
MUSICA SECRETA - From Darkness Into Light
The complete Lamentations of Jeremiah for Good Friday, Antoine Brumel
Musica Secreta, Claire Williams - organ, Alison Kinder - bass viol
Their balance, shaping of individual lines, attention to form and structure, and sensitivity to the text and its meanings all permeate the recording - Early Music America
CHELYS CONSORT OF VIOLS - A Pleasing Melancholy
Dowland's Lachrimae and consort songs
with Emma Kirkby and Jamie Akers
If you're looking for the most beautiful recording of the Lachrimae, this is unquestionably it - Gramophone
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MUSICA SECRETA - Lucrezia Borgia's Daughter
Motets from a 16th century convent.
Musica Secreta & Celestial Sirens
with Claire Williams - organ; Alison Kinder - bass viol
Winner of the 2016 Noah Greenberg Award from the American Musicological Society
ROSE CONSORT OF VIOLS - Exiled
Rose Consort of Viols, the Choir of King's College, Aberdeen and David J Smith
Music by Catholic composers Peter Philips (1560/61-1628) and his younger contemporary, Richard Dering (c.1580-1630).
CHELYS CONSORT OF VIOLS - Ayres and Graces
Christopher Simpson's Airs for two treble and two bass viols
with Dan Tidhar - chamber organ and harpsichord
Jamie Akers - theorbo and guitar
Listen to sample tracks here
Played with passion, precision, and brilliance - Early Music Review
**** - The Guardian
