Notes and Editorial Reviews
Among a collection of first-class recordings, this new one from Andrew Lawrence-King and The Harp Consort may be the best-programmed and overall the most engaging for fans of early instrumental music. The concept is to "recreate the Spanish 'art of improvisation' documented by Luis Venegas de Henestrosa (c. 1510-70) in his Libro de cifra nueva", which was a collection of Spanish romances and French chansons along with dances and fantasias that Henestrosa intabulated for harp, keyboard, and vihuela. His adaptations of both vocal and instrumental pieces by eminent composers such as Josquin, Crequillon, and Cabezón--sometimes combining the work of several composers into one--was a
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common practice in Henestrosa's time, and it results in uniformly attractive creations ripe with improvisational possibilities for musicians as skilled and imaginative as Lawrence-King and his colleagues.
There's tremendous variety here of instrumentation, of style--including more or less overtly improvisational pieces, and of tempo and mood, and Lawrence-King offers wonderful arrays of color and articulation in his various harp solos. Highlights include the sublime Josquin/Narváez Mille regres (performed by Lawrence-King on the Spanish double-harp), Henestrosa's melancholy canción "Mundo, ¿qué me puedes dar?" for gamba and organ and his Fuga a 40 "Unum colle Deum", which features wonderful textures and timbres, and the lively and richly colored anonymous canción "Je vous". The fact is, there's not a dull moment here, my only slight complaint being the 10-minute-long set of variations on the romance "Conde Claros", which just seems a bit too extensive for the music's intrinsic interest. That aside, the programming is exceptionally skillful and the music is first-rate.
As for the performances, there are no better practitioners of this repertoire than Lawrence-King, Hille Perl (viola da gamba), Lee Santana (vihuela, cittern), Steven Player (renaissance guitar), and Helen Coombs (organ, harpsichord), and they are captured in ideal sound--vibrant, detailed, well-balanced, and natural in the fine acoustics of St. George's Church, Chesterton in Cambridge, England. Add this one to your collection. [4/7/2004]
--David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Improvisation after Venegas de Henestrosa & Cabezón by Andrew Lawrence-King
Performer:
Lee Santana (Vihuela),
Andrew Lawrence-King (Double Harp),
Steve Player (Guitar),
Hille Perl (Bass Viola da gamba),
Helen Coombs (Organ)
Conductor:
Andrew Lawrence-King
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Harp Consort
Period: 20th Century
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 4 Minutes 59 Secs.
2.
Diferencias sobre el canto llano de "La Alta" by Antonio De Cabezón
Performer:
Hille Perl (Bass Viola da gamba),
Andrew Lawrence-King (Harp),
Steve Player (Percussion),
Lee Santana (Vihuela)
Conductor:
Andrew Lawrence-King
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Harp Consort
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; Spain
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 1 Minutes 33 Secs.
3.
Mille regretz by Josquin Des Préz
Performer:
Andrew Lawrence-King (Double Harp)
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 2 Minutes 45 Secs.
4.
Demandez vous qui me faict si joyeulx by Thomas Crecquillon
Performer:
Lee Santana (Vihuela),
Helen Coombs (Organ),
Steve Player (Guitar),
Hille Perl (Bass Viola da gamba),
Andrew Lawrence-King (Harp)
Conductor:
Andrew Lawrence-King
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Harp Consort
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; France
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 1 Minutes 25 Secs.
5.
Je vous... by Anonymous
Performer:
Steve Player (Guitar),
Hille Perl (Bass Viola da gamba),
Lee Santana (Vihuela),
Andrew Lawrence-King (Harpsichord),
Helen Coombs (Organ)
Conductor:
Andrew Lawrence-King
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Harp Consort
Period: Renaissance
Written: Spain
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 1 Minutes 23 Secs.
6.
Tiento para harpa u organo by Alonso de Mudarra
Performer:
Andrew Lawrence-King (Organ)
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; Spain
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 0 Minutes 46 Secs.
7.
Tiento sobre "la Pavana real" by Enríquez de Valderrábano
Performer:
Andrew Lawrence-King (Double Harp),
Helen Coombs (Organ)
Period: Renaissance
Written: Spain
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 1 Minutes 32 Secs.
8.
Soneto a manera de dança by Enríquez de Valderrábano
Performer:
Andrew Lawrence-King (Double Harp)
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; Spain
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 1 Minutes 55 Secs.
9.
Diferencias sobre Conde Claros by Luis de Venegas
Performer:
Lee Santana (Cittern),
Hille Perl (Bass Viola da gamba),
Steve Player (Guitar),
Andrew Lawrence-King (Double Harp),
Lee Santana (Vihuela),
Helen Coombs (Organ)
Conductor:
Andrew Lawrence-King
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Harp Consort
Period: Renaissance
Written: Spain
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 10 Minutes 12 Secs.
10.
Pavana con su glosa "after Venegas de Henestrosa" by Andrew Lawrence-King
Performer:
Andrew Lawrence-King (Harp)
Period: 20th Century
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 2 Minutes 35 Secs.
11.
Mundo, ¿qué me puedes dar? by Luis de Venegas
Performer:
Hille Perl (Bass Viola da gamba),
Andrew Lawrence-King (Harp)
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; Spain
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 2 Minutes 53 Secs.
12.
Diferencias sobre "La Gallardo" by Antonio De Cabezón
Performer:
Andrew Lawrence-King (Organ)
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; Spain
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 2 Minutes 41 Secs.
13.
Fuga a 40 "Unum colle Deum" by Luis de Venegas
Conductor:
Andrew Lawrence-King
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Harp Consort
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; Spain
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 2 Minutes 2 Secs.
14.
Miralo cómo llora by Luis de Venegas
Performer:
Lee Santana (Cittern),
Helen Coombs (Organ),
Hille Perl (Bass Viola da gamba),
Steve Player (Guitar),
Andrew Lawrence-King (Harp)
Conductor:
Andrew Lawrence-King
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Harp Consort
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; Spain
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 0 Minutes 56 Secs.
15.
Para discanto by Enríquez de Valderrábano
Performer:
Andrew Lawrence-King (Psaltery),
Lee Santana (Cittern)
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; Spain
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 3 Minutes 16 Secs.
16.
Tiento no 18 by Antonio De Cabezón
Performer:
Andrew Lawrence-King (Double Harp)
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; Spain
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 5 Minutes 46 Secs.
17.
Baxa de contrapunto by Luis de Narváez
Performer:
Andrew Lawrence-King (Harp)
Period: Renaissance
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 1 Minutes 26 Secs.
18.
Canto llano by Anonymous
Performer:
Hille Perl (Bass Viola da gamba)
Written: Spain
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 0 Minutes 41 Secs.
19.
Duo para principiantes no 1 by Antonio De Cabezón
Performer:
Andrew Lawrence-King (Double Harp)
Period: Renaissance
Written: Spain
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 2 Minutes 7 Secs.
20.
Diferencias (3) sobre "Ave maris stella" by Antonio De Cabezón
Performer:
Andrew Lawrence-King (Harp),
Hille Perl (Bass Viola da gamba)
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; Spain
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 1 Minutes 37 Secs.
21.
Himno a 4 by Antonio De Cabezón
Performer:
Andrew Lawrence-King (Double Harp)
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; Spain
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 3 Minutes 6 Secs.
22.
Canto Ilano Beata viscera Mariae Virginis by Antonio De Cabezón
Performer:
Hille Perl (Bass Viola da gamba),
Andrew Lawrence-King (Double Harp)
Period: Renaissance
Written: Spain
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 1 Minutes 48 Secs.
23.
Diferencias sobre "Guárdame las vacas" by Luis de Narváez
Performer:
Andrew Lawrence-King (Harp),
Steve Player (Percussion)
Period: Renaissance
Written: by 1538; Spain
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 2 Minutes 58 Secs.
24.
Paseavase el rey Moro by Luis de Narváez
Performer:
Hille Perl (Bass Viola da gamba),
Andrew Lawrence-King (Harp)
Period: Renaissance
Written: by 1538; Spain
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 1 Minutes 6 Secs.
25.
Final "after Mudarra, Cabezón and Venegas de Henestrosa" by Andrew Lawrence-King
Performer:
Hille Perl (Bass Viola da gamba),
Steve Player (Guitar),
Lee Santana (Vihuela),
Andrew Lawrence-King (Double Harp),
Helen Coombs (Organ)
Conductor:
Andrew Lawrence-King
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Harp Consort
Period: 20th Century
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 3 Minutes 30 Secs.
26.
De los álamos vengo, madre by Juan Vasquez
Performer:
Andrew Lawrence-King (Harp),
Lee Santana (Vihuela),
Hille Perl (Bass Viola da gamba),
Steve Player (Guitar)
Conductor:
Andrew Lawrence-King
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Harp Consort
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; Spain
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 1 Minutes 53 Secs.
27.
Paseavase el rey Moro by Francis Fernández-Palero
Performer:
Andrew Lawrence-King (Organ),
Hille Perl (Bass Viola da gamba)
Period: Renaissance
Written: by 1557; Spain
Date of Recording: 02/2000
Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, England
Length: 0 Minutes 57 Secs.
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