Chelys Consort of Viols

Chelys Consort of Viols featuring Helen Charlston – The Honour of William Byrd (2023) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · July 26, 2023 · Comments off

This disc provides an opportunity to explore the music of the proud Englishman, the devoted friend, the loyal subject, and the faithful servant that was William Byrd, on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of his death. Through a collection of songs and instrumental works performed by the Chelys Consorts of Viols joined by tenor violist Harry Buckoke and mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston, this recording introduces this key figure of the English Renaissance music: both devoutly Catholic and a favourite of the Protestant Queen, a serious character capable of weighty contemplation but also sharp wit and humour, and the loyal friend who wrote so personally and touchingly.

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Fieri Consort & Chelys Consort of Viols – Amavi: Music for Viols & Voices by Michael East (2021) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · February 1, 2023 · Comments off

Running through this album is a path from despair and sin through revelation, repentance and belief, to life, triumph and finally love. The stations on the way are eight five-part fantasias for viols by Michael East (1580–1648), unusual in that each of them has a Latin title – from “Desperavi” to “Amavi”. In his time, East was one of England’s most published composers with seven books of his compositions in print, all of them containing music for viols and voices. The fantasias are here performed by the five members of Chelys Consort of Viols, who together with the singers in Fieri Consort have selected vocal items by East to complement each of the instrumental pieces.

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Chelys Consort of Viols – Purcell: Fantazias (2021) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · November 13, 2022 · Comments off

At the age of 20, Henry Purcell entered his 14 Fantasias and two In Nomines into an autograph bearing the title “The Works of Hen; Purcell, A.D. 1680”. Despite his youth Purcell was already making his mark as a composer, writing music for the London theatres and holding posts at Westminster Abbey and at court. But unlike his works for the theatre and the church, which were intended for specific occasions, very little is known about the impulse behind fantasias.

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