English madrigals

English Madrigals
Quink Vocal Ensemble
Telarc 80328

Contents:

    Thomas Morley (1557/8-1602)
  1. Now is the month of Maying
  2. Farewell, disdainful
  3. No, no, Nigella

    4. Francis Pilkington (c.1570-1638)
  4. Why should I grieve?
  5. Sweet Phyllida

    6. Thomas Tomkins (1572-1656)
  6. Phyllis, now cease to move me
  7. Too much I once lamented

    8. Thomas Bateson (c.1570-1630)
  8. Those sweet delightful lillies
  9. Phyllis, farewell

    10. William Byrd (1543-1623)
  10. Come to me grief, forever
  11. Come, woeful Orpheus

    12. John Farmer (fl.1591-1601)
  12. Fair Phyllis I saw

    13. John Wilbye (1574-1638)
  13. Weep, weep, mine eyes
  14. I fall, I fall, O stay me
  15. And though my love abounding
  16. Adieu, sweet Amaryllis

    17. Thomas Weelkes (1576-1623)
  17. The nightingale, the organ of delight
  18. Hark, all ye lovely saints

Performers: Machteld van Woerden (soprano), Marjolein Koetsier (soprano), Corrie Pronk (alto), Harry van Berne (tenor), Kees-Jan de Koning (bass)

Playing time: 63'

Recording date: December 1991 & January 1992

This collection features the major English madrigal composers in lively and articulate performances.

Morley was the leading English madrigal composer, the man who almost single-handedly established the genre. A dedicated recording:

Morley: Ayres & Madrigals
The Consort of Musicke - Anthony Rooley
L'Oiseau Lyre 436 862

A recording devoted to an anthology published by Morley in 1601, but featuring a variety of composers:

The Triumphs of Oriana
The King's Singers
Signum 082

The other two most important composers in this genre were Weelkes & Wilbye. Two dedicated recordings:

Weelkes: Madrigals and Anthems
Consort of Musicke - Anthony Rooley
AS&V "Gaudeamus" 195
Wilbye: Madrigals
Selections from the First set of madrigals (1598) and from the Second set of madrigals (1609)
Consort of Musicke - Anthony Rooley
L'Oiseau Lyre 597 (LP)

A few similar anthologies:

What Then is Love?
An Elizabethan Songbook
The Boston Camerata - Joel Cohen
Erato 23417
English Madrigals
Amaryllis Consort
IMP Allegro Classics 670 1752
Draw on Sweet Night
English Madrigals
Hilliard Ensemble - Paul Hillier
EMI Reflexe 49197
English Madrigals
The Tallis Scholars - Peter Phillips
Gimell 403

And a classic reissue:

The English Madrigal School, vol. I
The Deller Consort - Alfred Deller
Vanguard Classics 2533 (2 CDs)

Earlier recordings by the present ensemble:

Madrigals & Canzonets of the Italian Renaissance & Baroque
Quink Vocal Ensemble
Telarc 80209
Pastime with Good Company
Quink
Globe 15004 (LP)

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Todd M. McComb