The booklet notes to the CD release of this album by the Armonico Consort not only state the project's aims concisely, but are also entertaining enough to merit quoting at length: "I first began my fascination with folk melody whilst a music scholar at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where the choir would often sing arrangements to entertain the hordes of inebriated dons after feasts," writes director Christopher Monks. "These arrangements -- often brilliant, eye opening, and sometimes little gems of genius -- were ...
Read More
The booklet notes to the CD release of this album by the Armonico Consort not only state the project's aims concisely, but are also entertaining enough to merit quoting at length: "I first began my fascination with folk melody whilst a music scholar at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where the choir would often sing arrangements to entertain the hordes of inebriated dons after feasts," writes director Christopher Monks. "These arrangements -- often brilliant, eye opening, and sometimes little gems of genius -- were written by my director of studies, Dr. Geoffrey Webber. Quite simply, he took on the work of Vaughan Williams and gave it a new harmonic language inspired by music from the late 20th century." Webber is the author of the largest number of folk song arrangements here (all are a cappella); others come from various composers including Monks himself. The title track is elegant, but a better place to start sampling to get a feel for the tonality of the music is perhaps Sweet Kitty (track 6,), another Webber arrangement. Several pieces, by Stanford, Thomas Morley, and Robert Pearsall, are not folk songs, but are familiar enough to be such, and they function nicely as little touchstones in a program that is far from the set of folk favorites you might imagine. Monks and his ten-voice Armonico Consort achieve a precise sound that brings out the small details that make these arrangements interesting. A rather specialized release, perhaps one for enthusiasts who love the tradition of British choral singing, but one that may also be recommended to all. ~ James Manheim, Rovi
Read Less
Add this copy of Greensleeves: Folk Music of the British Isles to cart. $26.08, new condition, Sold by Importcds rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Sunrise, FL, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Signum Classics.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Hadley; Morley; Stanford; Vaughan Williams; Webber. New. New in new packaging. USA Orders only! Brand New product! please allow delivery times of 3-7 business days within the USA. US orders only please.
Add this copy of Greensleeves to cart. $29.47, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Signum Records.
