Miriam Allan, Echo du Danube Ensemble - An English Masque (2007)

Tracklist

01. I. Prologue: The Furies (Anonymous)
02. I. Prologue: O for a Muse of fire (William Shakespeare)
03. I. Prologue: Der Koniginnen Intrada (William Brade)
04. II. What Women Want: Twenty waies vpon the bels (Robert Johnson)
05. II. What Women Want: A Wonder: The Wife
06. II. What Women Want: The Ladyes Second Masque (Anonymous)
07. II. What Women Want: A Wonder: The Marryed Man
08. II. What Women Want: The First of the Lords (William Brade)
09. III. Entry Dance: Mascharad der Edel Frauen (William Brade)
10. IV: At the Market: Nutmegs and Ginger: A Wonder: The Marchant
11. IV: At the Market: Nutmegs and Ginger: Home Again, Market is Done - Fine Knacks for Ladies (John Dowland)
12. IV: At the Market: Nutmegs and Ginger: Nutmegs and Ginger (Anonymous)
13. V. Main Dance: Sarabande (Jean Le Felle)
14. V. Main Dance: Ay, but thou talk'st (William Shakespeare)
15. V. Main Dance: La paduana del re (Anonymous)
16. V. Main Dance: When Griping Grief (Richard Edwards)
17. V. Main Dance: Sinfonia a 6 (Cristoforo Malvezzi)
18. VI. Virginity or Leading Apes in Hell: The Fairey Masque (Anonymous)
19. VI. Virginity or Leading Apes in Hell: A Wonder: The Bachelor
20. VI. Virginity or Leading Apes in Hell: I can not keepe my wyfe at howme (Anonymous)
21. VI. Virginity or Leading Apes in Hell: A Wonder: The Maide
22. VII. Revels: I long for thy virginitie (Anonymous)
23. VII. Revels: Symphony of Bird Calls (Matthew Locke)
24. VII. Revels: I can not keepe my wyfe at howme (Anonymous)
25. VIII. Live and Let Die: The Second Witches Dance (Robert Johnson)
26. VIII. Live and Let Die: A Wonder: The Widow
27. VIII. Live and Let Die: Tweny waies vpon the bels (Robert Johnson)
28. VIII. Live and Let Die: A Wonder: The Devine
29. VIII. Live and Let Die: On the cold ground (John Playford)
30. VIII. Live and Let Die: A Wonder: The Lawyer
31. VIII. Live and Let Die: The Hangman Song (John Dowland)
32. IX. The Sacred End Pavan (Thomas Morley and John Baxter) - Galliard to the Sacred End (Thomas Morley)
33. X. Banquet: Ein Schottisch Tanz (William Brade) - Come Thou Monarch of the Vine (William Shakespeare)
34. X. Banquet: Parsons Farewell (John Playford)
35. X. Banquet: Gray's Inn (John Cooper)
36. XI. Epilogue: When Griping Grief (Richard Edwards)
37. XI. Epilogue: Lulle me beyond thee (John Playford)

English Renaissance masques were extravagant, evening-long entertainments compiled of various songs and dances loosely organized around a plot or theme. Little is known about John Maynard (1577-1633), who wrote a set of songs titled The XII Wonders of the World, which forms the framework around which this masque is reconstructed. This version incorporates works by John Dowland, Matthew Locke, Thomas Morley, John Playford, and an exquisite ballad by Richard Edwards, so the quality of the music is consistently high. Although there is no explicit attribution, it can be assumed that the reconstruction was made by or for the Austrian instrumental ensemble Echo du Danube, which performs it here. The group is joined by soprano Miriam Allan, who performs the songs with pure but robust tone and an infectious sense of playfulness. The same spirit informs the instrumental performances, which sparkle with fun and exuberance. Narrator Rob Wyn Jones contributes several selections from Shakespeare plays that have little apparent relevance to the rest of the proceedings. The sound of the SACD is bright and clear, with a good sense of presence.

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