Search - William [Composer] Byrd, Fretwork :: Byrd: Complete Consort Music

Definitive performances

03/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While Virgin has now reissued many of these performances on their budget line, the convenience of having all of Byrd's consort music on one disc still makes this an appealing choice. Although newer recordings by groups like Phantasm present a welcome alternative to Fretwork, this is still the cycle you will want to own. And "cycle" is the right word, since the scattered cantus firmus pieces and Fantasias present a beautiful coherence when played in sequence as they are here. Fretwork gives a spirited reading, and Byrd's contrapuntal textures are fascinating, especially in some of the five part works, like Browning and the second of the five In Nomines."

Byrd and Fretwork = perfection

09/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Some of the best music for viols ever written played perfectly. Pounce on this one."