The Hilliard Ensemble

The Hilliard Ensemble is one of the world's finest vocal chamber groups, and is probably unrivalled for its formidable reputation in the fields of both early and new music. Its distinctive style and highly developed musicianship engage the listener as much in medieval and renaissance repertoire as in works specially written for the group by living composers. The ensemble's performing schedule is busy and varied, amounting to some hundred concerts a year. Its substantial following in Europe, particularly in Mediterranean and central European countries, is augmented by regular visits to Japan, the USA and Canada.

The group's reputation as an early music ensemble dates from the 1980s and its series of highly successful records for EMI (many of which are now re-released on Virgin), but from the start the group has paid equal attention to new music. Concerts with major orchestras have included a performance of Pärt's Litany with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and a series with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Discography

English and Italian Renaissance Madrigals

Italian Madrigals by Giovanni Giacomo Gastoldi Antonio Caprioli Philippe Verdelot Jacques Arcaldet Francesco Patavino Maddalena Casulana Luca Marenzio Cipriano da Rore Giovan Domenico da Nola Adrian Willaert Vincenzo Bell'Haver Orlando di Lasso

This is a 2 CD set, CD #1 has 71 minutes of Italian madrigals, CD #2 has 55 minutes of English madrigals. Perhaps the most important secular musical development of the 16th century, the madrigal had its fullest flowering in Italy, where Franco-Flemish composers Phillippe Verdelot, Adrian Willaert and Jacques Arcadelt, born in northern Europe, spent their working lives. In England Thomas Morley, John Wilbye and Thomas Weelkes succeeded in producing some real masterpieces. There are 26 cuts on disc #1, all in Italian, "Cantiam lieti cantiamo," "Una leggiadra nimpha," "Con l'angelica riso," "Donne, venete al ballo"?all flow like sweet water from this talented, precise British sextet. Disc 2 has 22 cuts, all in English: Morley's "April is in my mistress' face," Wilbye's "Sweet honey sucking bees," Weelkes' "O care thou wilt dispatch me," Orlando Gibbons' "The Silver Swan"?and they are equally fine. Recommended.

Listen to "The Silver Swanne" in RealAudio.

Sacred & Secular Music from 6 Centuries

Salve Regina - Contractus Planctus Ante Nescia - Victoire Quant Je Sui MIs - Machut Vergene Bella - Dufay Gloria Ad Modem Tubae - Dufay Most Clear Of Color - Fayrfax O Nata lux - Tallis Ne Irascaris Domine / Civitas Sancti Tui - Byrd Dezi, Flor rrwsplandeciante Sancta Mater El Jubilate - Flecha Tota Pulcra Es - Isaac Bon Jour Mon Coeur - Goudimel Le Chant Des Oiseaulx - Janequin

Whereas most of Hilliard Ensemble's recordings have been designed around a particular composer or collection of music, this disc is content simply to offer The Hilliard Ensemble ‘in recital’, and presents a mixed programme of early vocal music – including many of the group’s favourite pieces.

Josquin Desprez: Motets & Chansons

Ave Maria ... Virgo serena Absalon fili mi Veni Sancte Spiritus De profundis clamavi Scaramella va alla guerra (a4) In te Domine speravi (a4) El grillo (a4) Mille regretz Petite camusette Je me complains En l'ombre d'ung buissonet Je ne me puis penir d'aimer La deploration de Jhan Ockeghem (a5)

Of all the north European composers who made their careers writing beautiful secular madrigals in sixteenth-century Italy, Josquin Desprez is regarded as the greatest. Fusing learned polyphony with rhythmic gaity, the madrigal was hugely popular in Italy and England. The brilliant British male octet The Hilliard Ensemble, sounding very much like angels, are one of few groups who can do justice to this difficult, soaring material. From the sacred "Ave MariaŠ Virgo serena," "Veni Sancti Spiritus," and "De profundis clamavi" to the secular "Petite camusette," "Je me complains" and "Je ne me puis tenir d'aimer," this is wonderful music. 13 songs. Extensive liner notes give lyrics and translations.

7012 CD $11.98

Medieval English Music

Salve Virgo Virginum Now Springes The Spray Ah Si Mon Moine Adam Lay Ibounden Foweles In The Frith So Trieben Wir Den Einter Aus The Coventry Carol Gaudete An Adult Lullaby Veni, Yeni Salva Nos Verbum Caro Lo, Here My Heart Binnorie O Binnorie This Ay Night Miri It Is

Towards the end of the 14th century, England saw the rise of a pleasingly consonant musical style that was admired abroad as the "English manner." Paul Hillier and the Hilliard Ensemble are heard in a selection of the most beautiful polyphonic songs and carols from this rich period. "The performancesŠ match the beauty of the musicŠ a sound of remarkable purity. Their ensemble singing is perfection itself, and each part is exquisitely phrased." ­ Stereo Review

6320 CD $11.98

The Singing Club

A Round of three country dances in one There were three ravens Call George again, boys Drink tonight of the moonshine bright She weepeth sore in the night Dainty fine aniseed water fine Where the bee sucks there suck I Gather your rosebuds while you may 'Tis woman makes us love Sir Walter enjoying his damsel Inigo Jones Epitaph The Singing Club The Glee Club- Foresters sound the cheerful horn To soften care The Anacreontick Song Elegy on the death of Mr. Shenstone Sigh no more ladies There is a paradise on earth O who will o'er the downs so free Sweet and low

Singing clubs of one kind or another played a small but key role in the history of English convivial music. Bustling 17th-century coffee house and taverns were venues for the singing of rounds and catches. Not particularly sophisticated, but many composers, Purcell the most prominent, created a series of miniatures whose wit and melodic invention have rarely been equaled. Acclaimed all-male septet The Hilliard Ensemble, directed by Paul Hillier, divides "The Singing Club" in two parts, beginning with "The Catch Club," Thomas Ravenscroft's "A Round of three country dances in one" and "There were three ravens," John Hilton's "Call George again, boys," William Lawes' "Drink tonight of the moonshine bright," "Dainty fine aniseed water fine" and "Gather your rosebuds while you may," John Wilson's "Where the bee sucks, there suck I," Purcell's "Tis woman makes us love" and "Sir Walter enjoying his damsel," Thomas Arne's title tune and others. The second part, "The Glee Club," features the upbeat "Foresters sound the cheerful horn" by Henry Bishop, Thomas Arne's "Sigh no more, ladies," John Smith's "The Anacreontick Song," Robert Pearsall's "There is a paradise on earth," and Joseph Bamby's "Sweet and low." 21 spirited, lilting, romantic a cappella songs that touch and cheer us on many levels—a beautiful, joyous CD!

Gavin Bryars: First Book of Madrigals - For Unaccompanied Male Voices

Web Stormy Almond Tree Just As The Ash-Glow` Within Minutes Our Bodies In The Shower She'd Buy Things All The Homely Arts And Crafts In April Who's The More To Blame The Print Of Soles My Pomegranate Against Dieting

These Madrigals were written especially for the Hilliard Ensemble with who Gavin Bryars has worked for many years. The texts are by the poet and writer Blake Morrison.

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