James Tyler - Elizabethan Social Music

Saga - LP
UK, 1981
Baroque / Classical / Folk

Absolutely delightful "amateur" music (not performed by professional musicians but by gentlemen playing music as a pastime) that used to be performed in a social context in the English gentry in Elizabethan times. 

The music on this LP is reeking of the atmosphere of Shakespeare's comedies, from the italianism of some lute duets ("Chi passa") to the Sonnet-like ballads ("What if a day?"). And much like Shakespeare's comedies, it offers me utter delight and comfort, the kind that help me face with the inevitable feeling of melancholy that I have to deal with whenever summer comes to an end.

Stunning recordings of diverse formations, from lute solos and duets, to full English consorts (traditional small ensembles featuring a bass viol, lutes, violin and flutes), enthusiastically led by James Tyler, lutenist, musicologist and composer of the soundtracks of BBC-produced TV versions of Shakespeare's plays. A great record, from start to finish, and yet another ridiculously unreissued LP, as I'm starting to realize that a lot of these admirable recordings of "ancient" music felt into oblivion. What are you doing, British traditional cultural institutions? Isn't it the kind of non controversial cultural material, you're dreaming to offer to future generations?  (NM/VG+)

Tracklist

1. English Consort: Lady Frances Sidneys Goodmorowe
2. Lute Duet: Chi Passa
3. Lute Solo: What If A Day
4. English Consort: Mr. Allisons Knell
5. Lute Solo: Mall Symes
6. Lute Duet: Duncomes Galiarde For 2 Lutes
7. English Consort: Go From My Windoe
8. Lute Solo: Sir John Smith His Almaine
9. Lute Duet: Packingtoune Galiarde
10. Lute Solo: Dargesson
11. English Consort: The Sacred End Pavan
12. Lute Solo: The Quadrone Pavene
13. Lute Duet: A Galliard For Two Lutes After Laveche
14. English Consort: The Lady Walsinghams Conceites