Binchois Consort Archive
The Lily and the Rose — Medieval Music—The Binchois Consort—Hyperion
A rich visit into the choral music of Medieval Music of England.
“Music for the 100 Years’ War” = The Binchois Consort / Andrew Kirkman (cond.) – Hyperion Records
“Music for the 100 Years’ War” = The Binchois Consort, Andrew Kirkman (conductor) – Hyperion Records CD A68170, 76:25 (3/31/17) **** A lovely disc brings the music of the 15th century alive A fascinating theme for a CD, with music of predominantly royal association spanning the reign of Henry V, the Battle of Agincourt and its aftermath, and the coronations in England and France of the boy king Henry VI. Probably the best known works on the disc are the works of John Dunstaple (1390-1453), one of the most interesting and influential of 15th century composers. He was a true renaissance man, with interests in astronomy, mathematics and medicine. Many of the other works are anonymous, and a few other composers of the period are represented. The performances by this small ensemble, The Binchois Consort under Andrew Kirkman are fine performers and brings this music vividly alive. The recording is realistic without being too finely etched. The voices emerge from the lovely acoustics of the Ascot Priory in Berkshire, England, blending nicely so that we get a sense of space but without close microphone positions that would destroy the ambiance. A word about the booklet that comes with the disc. It’s […]
Music for Henry V and the House of Lancaster – The Binchois Consort/ Andrew Kirkman – Hyperion
Music for Henry V and the House of Lancaster – The Binchois Consort/ Andrew Kirkman – Hyperion 67868, 72:47 [Distr. by Harmonia mundi] *****: We are here offered a tour of the musical dynasties of Henry V and Henry VI through the graces of the Wollaton Antiphonal, a collection of medieval manuscripts that are properly the property of the St. Leonard parish, but kept in the family library of Wollaton Hall from the mid-sixteenth century until 1924. It is miraculous that it did indeed escape the ravages of the Reformation. The book itself is an elaborate service manual (illuminated of course—aren’t they all?) most likely East Anglian in origin, for Sir Thomas Chatsworth, a nobleman in the East Midlands who had connections to the Plantagenet-Lancasters, and who had even fought with Henry V at Agincourt. Because of this Lancaster connection he was consequently devoted to St. John of Bridlington, essentially the patron saint of the House of Lancaster and the last English saint to be canonized before the Reformation, and Henry himself was almost fanatically attached to the religious and nationalistic-cultural associations with him as well. The music here gathered presents us with a very in-depth look at the services […]
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