Matthew Locke: The Flat Consort

Name: Matthew Locke: The Flat Consort
SKU: SIGCD696
Availability: InStock

£8.00 – £14.00

Matthew Locke was born 400 years ago in 1622, and while he is often ranked as one of England’s finest composers, he is still unaccountably neglected: his music may not be as immediately appealing as his immediate successor, Henry Purcell, nor as wide- ranging as William Byrd, yet his forceful musical personality and luxuriant technique place him in the first echelon of English composers, with his works described by Richard Boothby of Fretwork as having a “quixotic, capricious restlessness that is constantly challenging the listener to follow his argument … a thrilling musical ride”. Accompanying Fretwork on continuo for this recording are David Miller (archlute and theorbo) and Silas Wollston (harpsichord).

The cover of the album bares an inscription in the walls by the choir stall of Exeter Cathedral, thought to have been carved by the composer during his time as a member of the choir there.

In 2021, Fretwork celebrated its 35th anniversary. In the past three and a half decades they have explored the core repertory of great English consort music, from Taverner to Purcell, and made classic recordings against which others are judged. Their recent critically- praised releases with Signum include If and Lamento – both with counter-tenor Iestyn Davies – and In Nomine 2 (★★★★★ BBC Music Magazine).

★★★★★ “Written for friends to play, this richly imaginative music is unaccountably rarely performed which makes this satisfying disc from Fretwork so welcome…All the music receives terrific performances from the players, and they really manage to evoke the atmosphere of those friends playing together in the 17th century Hereford” – Planet Hugill

★★★★ Performance, ★★★★ Recording “Fretwork captures the brooding quality of the minor-mode suites particularly well, and their sinewy playing points up Locke’s vigorous counterpoint and robust rhythms. The main bonus of the new disc, though, is it’s inclusion of three other suites from the surprisingly neglected “Flat Consort”” – BBC Music Magazine

Favourite Classical Albums of 2022 “Fretwork play gorgeously” – Gramophone

SKU: SIGCD696

Fretwork

Release date: 14/01/22

Catalogue number: SIGCD696

Barcode: 635212069622

“It’s counterpoint is exceptionally refined and delicate and this in turn has been realised with some equally refined and delicate playing…The delicious way in which Locke’s fantazias – unlike those of Jenkins or Lawes – present a cornucopia of switches in tempo or affect is matched by Fretwork’s agility in moving form one colour and affect to the next…for some particularly gorgeous nuanced shakes, meanwhile, head to the third Fantazia of the Dduo for two bass viols in C” – Gramophone

Critics Choice “Fretwork play gorgeously” – Gramophone

“Fretwork’s four players swap roles for each suite and carefully shape these fantazias’ individual lines and the imitative interplay between them, contrasting their alternately sombre and lively affects with subtlety and refinement and negotiating tempo changes with a nice unanimity of ensemble. The group meets the more virtuoso challenges of Suites Nos.3,4 and 5 with ease and gives due weight to Locke’s theatrical gestures, adventurous harmonies and other stylistic idiosyncrasies. Their transparent textures have been skilfully captured in a balance that…gives due presence to the imaginative continuo contribution. The dance forms intertwined with the fantazias are powerfully characterised” – The Strad

“I can’t think of any safer hands for that project than Fretwork’s; they have taken a deep dive into the history of English chamber music and come back clutching fistfuls of pearls” – Presto.com

“The thoughtful selection, sequencing, performance and recording of the repertoire makes for a rich, immersive and invigorating listening experience that truly does justice to Locke’s elusive masterworks. I consider it a successful fulfillment of the goals expressed by Fretwork and a fitting tribute to the composer on the four-hundredth anniversary of his birth.” – Classical Music Daily

The Flat Consort
Suite No. 1 in C Minor
[1] – I. Fantazia
[2] – II. Courante
[3] – III. Fantazia
[4] – IV. Saraband
[5] – V. Fantazia
[6] – VI. Jigg

Duo for 2 Bass Viols in C
[7] – I. Fantazia
[8] – II. Fantazia
[9] – III. Courant
[10] – IV. Fantazia
[11] – V. Fantazia
[12] – VI. Saraband

The Flat Consort
Suite No. 2 in B-Flat Major
[13] – I. Fantazia
[14] – II. Courant
[15] – III. Fantazia
[16] – IV. Saraband
[17] – V. Fantazia
[18] – VI. Jigg

The Flat Consort
Suite No. 3 in D Minor
[19] – I. Fantazia
[20] – II. Courante
[21] – III. Fantazia
[22] – IV. Saraband

Duo for 2 Bass Viols in D
[23] – I. Fantazia
[24] – II. Fantasia
[25] – III. Courant
[26] – IV. Fantasia

[27] – V. Fantasia
[28] – VI. Saraband

The Flat Consort
Suite No. 4 in B-Flat Major
[29] – I. Fantazia
[30] – II. Gaillard
[31] – III. Fantazia
[32] – IV. Saraband

The Flat Consort
Suite No. 5 in A Minor
[33] – I. Fantazia
[34] – II. Gaillard
[35] – III. Fantazia
[36] – IV. Saraband