Search - Sweelinck, Petitaurent, Beekman :: Secular Vocal Works

Singular - Amazing - Utterly Worthwhile

Arvan | 08/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off, this isn't an expert or even significantly educated review. I'm coaxed from usual anonymity by the lack of any reviews whatsoever for this excellent collection. And that's what it is: 3 CD's plus booklet including thorough background information, PLUS printed lyrics for all pieces, PLUS English language translations for all pieces. If you like choir music, early(ish) polyphony, or just great music that evokes its own world/space/time. This is for you. It's singular in that it is the only recording of the complete secular vocal works of this key Dutch composer. It's amazing in the quality of the vocalists and the recording... just. wow. And it's utterly worthwhile in too many ways to list: how 'bout Sweelinck's pre-figuring of Bach and his relative obscurity owing to Bach's eclipsing? how 'bout the relative rarity of secular vocal works - whether you're religious or not, it's an interesting experience to hear music so closely associated with western religious tradition and know that it's all about tongues, and kissing, and flaming salamanders (for real)? Someone in-the-know should could say more and better. Anyway, buy this. Buy it now. I first found this at $85, bought it at $50 and it's now listed at ~$20! It's well worth the $85 tag. Enjoy!"