A Souldiers Resolution: The First Part of Ayres
Countertenor Christopher Field and viol player Miriam Morris present Tobias Hume’s The First Part of Ayres (1605), the first English collection devoted exclusively to the lyra viol and bass viol, ranging from bawdy humour to fashionable melancholy.
Successfully launched in both Melbourne and Adelaide, this disc presents counter-tenor Christopher Field and outstanding viol player Miriam Morris in a rare recording of Renaissance composer Tobias Hume’s The First Part of Ayres – the first collection of music to appear in England devoted exclusively to the lyra viol and bass viol.
The music, diverse in the extreme, ranges from the bawdy to the fashionably melancholic. Other than grouping by key and dance type, such progressions as Deth, Life, Good againe, A Question and An answere, show a distinctly programmatic flair. We are constantly reminded of Hume’s military calling with echoes of the battleground in such pieces as A Souldiers Resolution. Set amongst the learned part-writing of the viol consort composition of such contemporaries as Lawes and Ferrabosco, one can only imagine a solitary existence for this wild card protagonist of a relatively new style for his chosen instrument.
Reviews
an attractive program ... this is a rare and worthy entry to the catalogues. ★★★
this excellently produced and packaged Australian disc offers special delights ... expressive and engaging
This new recording by Australia’s finest viola da gamba player deserves a spot on every early music lover’s shelf ... Miriam Morris ... has a wide dynamic range, and her technique allows her to extract the rich resonance which is so important on the gamba, especially in solo music
Miriam Morris plays Hume’s music with affectionate fluency ... The recording communicates the warmth and nobility of the instrumental sound
on this fine recording ... Morris negotiates the not inconsiderable technical demands of the music with warm-toned assurance, drawing an expressive palate of sounds from her Australian-made seven stringed bass viol.
The sounds that emerge from this well-recorded disc are lean and refreshing.
I liked Miriam Morris’s playing very much ... her engagement with the music comes through and got me hooked. Christopher Field’s light, clean, sweet countertenor is a good foil to the bass viol ... Move is to be commended
Artists
Christopher Field
Christopher Field's teachers have included Stephen Grant and Hartley Newnham, and he has appeared in operatic roles with Opera Australia, Stopera and Co*Opera and has performed in concerts and festivals throughout Australia.
Miriam Morris
Miriam Morris studied the viola da gamba with Wieland Kuijken and Jane Ryan. Her career has included many solo appearances and collaborations with leading early music ensembles, particularly in Australia.
Audio previews
Tracks
- A Pavin (45) Tobias Hume 5:38
- Faine Would I Change That Note Tobias Hume 1:40
- A Souldiers Resolution Tobias Hume 5:14
- A Question Tobias Hume 2:10
- An Answere Tobias Hume 2:18
- Death Tobias Hume 5:43
- Life Tobias Hume 1:50
- Good Againe Tobias Hume 4:57
- What Greater Griefe Tobias Hume 3:37
- Rosamond Tobias Hume 1:15
- The Duke Of Holstones Almaine Tobias Hume 2:13
- My Mistresse Hath A Prettie Thing Tobias Hume 3:58
- Adue Sweete Love Tobias Hume 2:15
- Be Merry A Day Will Come Tobias Hume :25
- Tobacco Tobias Hume 1:43
- Beccus An Hungarian Lord His Delight Tobias Hume 2:50
- The Second Part Tobias Hume 1:05
- Loves Farewell Tobias Hume 4:50
- Captaine Humes Pavin Tobias Hume 8:07
Performers
- Miriam Morris · bass viol
- Christopher Field · tracks 2, 9 and 15
Contributors
Photos and graphics
Ron Joosten
Where to listen
A Souldiers Resolution: The First Part of Ayres is available for streaming through Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
A Souldiers Resolution: The First Part of Ayres is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.
Product details
- Catalogue number
- MD 3232
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 61 minutes 48 seconds
- Producer
- Thomas Grubb
- Recording Engineer
- Thomas Grubb
- Credit
- Ron Joosten
- Release date
- 2000
- Musical work
copyright - © 2000 Move Records
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 2000 Move Records
- Categories
- Early music, Vocal
- Genres
- Early Music, Vocal & Opera
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574323221
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