Lute News no. 86 (July 2008)

Opportunities to hear the renaissance transverse flute are not very numerous. This collection comprises pieces performed by two, three or four flutes in consort and flutes solos with lute or harp accompaniment. Most are arrangements of vocal works, both sacred and secular but a few purely instrumental pieces are also included, these being elaborated with divisions. The flute music is interspersed solo lute or harp pieces.
The Attaignant Consort is very impressive with well-nigh perfect intonation and flawless ensemble — rarely achieved even by early wooden flute specialists — and Kate Clark is a most accomplished soloist in the pieces with divisions. Presented with such a cornucopia, it is difficult to single out individual items for special mention, but Dowland's 'Lachrimae Pavan' with divisions by Jacob van Eyck stands out as particularly interesting and the arrangement of Victoria's 'Tenebrae factae sunt' for two tenor and two bass flutes with harp and lute seems to capture the sombre mood of the original in a way that would hardly be possible with any other combination of instruments.
The liner notes are exemplary, even including the words of the vocal pieces. Altogether an enchanting disc.

Monica Hall