Search - William Byrd, Andrew Carwood, David Skinner :: The William Byrd Edition, Vol. 5: The Masses

Characterful and memorable

Sator | Sydney, Australia | 08/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The music of William Byrd (c.1535/40 - 1623) was written in a paranoid and oppressive environment where the slightest gesture of pro-Catholicism could in the wrong context lead to imprisonment, torture and execution. Some even proposed taking away children from Catholic families to prevent them from passing on their beliefs to their offspring. The celebration of the Catholic mass too was forbidden, though still practiced in great fear and secrecy. It is into such a social environment that these works were born to be sung in privacy for fear of being discovered. The results are work of the greatest intimacy, darkness and mysticism - works that are arguably the greatest to have ever have flowed from the pen of an English composer. Indeed, Byrd is the yardstick by which all other English composers should be measured in the same way that Shakespeare is the yardstick for English literature.



The Cardinall's Musick are yet another group whose founder can be traced back to Cambridge. Andrew Carwood founded the group in 1989, which under his direction has developed a style of choral singing characterised by an unusually forthright and full-blooded approach, at least when compared to other groups originating out of Cambridge. In an age with so many Oxbridge choirs recording music by countless semi-obscure English composers, always to rapturous praise by English reviewers, it is easy to lose interest in this self-absorbed local scene of questionable international significance. Yet, whether you read German, French or Franco-Flemish commentators on music of the Renaissance, Byrd is as unquestionably accepted as a major composer as Shakespeare is as a major writer.



Perhaps few recordings of Byrd's music could illustrate this composer's ability as this collection of Latin masses - a musical form effectively defunct in post-Reformation England. The performances by the Cardinall's Musick capture the inner logic, and yet irresistible expressive drive on the lines in the performances that Byrd commanded. For even if Byrd lacks the effortless mellifluousness of Lassus or Palestrina's hushed sense of perfection, his music still has vigorous character. So performances as strong as those in the Byrd Edition here are particularly highly welcome.



Brian Robbins writing in Goldberg early music magazine thought that:



"This is the disc those not familiar with Byrd should make for first. Even those who are should add it to their collection as an urgent priority."



He awarded it the Goldberg five stars rating. However, like other English critic he tends to give nearly all of the Cardinall's music recordings a five star rating. A more honest appraisal was that by the American critic David Vernier:



"The sound is surprisingly timid and lacking in depth. Although there are some nice interpretive touches here involving special emphases, inflections, and other expressive nuances, as a whole the program just doesn't `fly'. Stick with the Tallis Scholars."



I think he was put off by the rather boxy and dry sound quality typical of all ASV recordings. The problem may be due to a substandard DA converter or poor transfer technology. ASV desperately need to upgrade if they can afford it. Still, I thought the 7/6 (for interpretation/sound quality) rating was slightly harsh for there are many interpretative felicities here that deserve recognition, particularly the forthright phrasing. Even the sound too is above average compared to other ASV releases - such as their Lassus CD.



Recommendable, although the Tallis Scholars' recording has definitely better sound (amongst the best ever afforded to them) and their interpretation must be counted as amongst their finest."

Thoughtful conducting, profound music

Rachel Reischling | Columbus, OH | 03/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I got to meet conductor David Skinner while studying at Oxford two summers ago; I found him to be a greatly talented musician and teacher. At a performance of the Cardinall's Musick in Fartheringhay (in a small Renaissance chapel by the castle), he conducted his male chorus so beautifully that it was all I could do to stare at the unstained glass and try hard not to cry. William Byrd was slightly younger than Elizabeth Tudor, and died in 1623. He is arguably the best of English Renaissance performances. His music is simple yet profound, fragile yet overpowering. It's music to examine your soul to."

Meaningful and exquisite

Nan B. Walton | Seattle, WA United States | 08/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am neither a Byrd scholar nor a person who normally writes critiques for

recordings. I would like to highly recommend this recording as being a

wonderful, highly charged reading of these three masses. I have performed

all three masses in various settings, but Andrew Carwood's choice of warm

and vibrant colors for the masses is both unusual and very thrilling. If

you prefer the etheral color of many who interpret these masses, you may

not appreciate the recording, but if you are one who either regularly

practices the liturgy, or who enjoys a passionate reading of these texts,

I think you will be truly delighted with the disk.



It sounds as if each of the singers takes full responsibility for

adequately presenting each of the texts in the woven lines of Byrd's

settings, and for communicating the passion of these texts to those who

might not understand the Latin, but who can perceive the mystery of faith

hidden therein. The colors added to each text are appropriate to the

differing texts, robust "Gloria", tender and pleading "Kyrie" and "Agnus

Dei", ethereal chorus of the angels and saints for each "Sanctus", and the

dramatic journey of Christ on earth and in heaven in the"Credo", all so

expressively interpreted brought this devout Lutheran to tears at each

listening.



Whether you are an affficionado of beautiful music or one for whom the texts

may have a more personal significance, I commend this album to you. The

notes are very well done, informative but written in an engaging manner. If

this isn't enough Byrd for you, The Cardinall's Musick is recording all of

the works of William Byrd, quite an addition to the classical music

library. The organ works of William Byrd which are inserted between each of

the mass settings is a brilliant touch, as your ears are refreshed to hear

each mass on its own. Well done!"