Search - John Dowland, Rose Consort of Viols, Jacob Heringman :: Dowland: Consort Music and Songs

A great introduction to Dowland?s and renaissance music

Neri Kafkafi | Baltimore, MD United States | 09/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are a classic or pop fan (or both), and you are not familiar with early music, buy this CD. After you will become addicted to it (as I had) you will rush to buy other CDs of this composer and period (as I did). It contains a balanced repertoire of galliards and other viols' music, songs and lute pieces, and all possible combinations of them. While not making any allowance for popularity, it does contain several timeless pieces that will nail you from first listening (try "lasso vita mia", for example), and the other pieces will get under your skin after several more. The sound of the Rose Consort of Viols is amazingly warm, makes you wonder why classical composers ever stopped writing for these instruments. Dowland's music is beautifully polyphonic, yet it never quits being melodious and lyrical. In fact, for pop fans it might be very enjoyable to discover Bach in a natural way by starting with Dowland, and not the other way around. This CD is not perfect: I would like my galliards with a bit more swing to them, and perhaps this is why this CD seems to over-emphasize the melancholic side of Dowland. Overall, however, this one is still closer to five stars than four, in the disc library of any music fan."

Okay for the Price

Giordano Bruno | Wherever I am, I am. | 11/30/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Rose Consort of Viols lacks the richness of tone of Fretwork and the incisiveness of rhythm of Phantasm, the two finest gamba ensembles on the block. There are some soft spots in their ensemble technique, to be heard especially in the lack of dance-step in their galliards and in the general 'sameness' of their interpretations of the sweetly sung songs included in this collection. Dowland has been both lauded and lambasted for his melancholy, which is just a little too evident for my taste on this disk. I'd like to hear his sprightly figures tossed off with more bravura. Fortunately the lutenist, Jacob Heringman, who supports most of the consort pieces has a fine forthright touch and keeps the momentum up when the gambas begin to sound introverted. On the whole, this is an adequate but not outstanding musical offering."

Wonderful sampler of Dowland's music

Moonfish | Santa Cruz, CA USA | 03/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An excellent sampler of Dowland's repertoire. The Rose Consort of Viols plays wonderfully and are well supported by a warm and immediate recording. I have spent many hours enjoying this album. Naxos strikes gold once again. Highly recommended!"