Pieter-Jan Belder - Byrd: My Ladye Nevells Booke - Import 3 CD

Credits:

Pieter-Jan Belder

Description:

A masterpiece of Elizabethan keyboard music, the 42 pieces in the "Compositions of Madame Nevel," compiled in 1591, are a collection of pieces composed on various occasions, including two dedicated to Madame Nevel, who was also a philanthropist, and are emblematic of Byrd at his most productive as an instrumental composer in the 1580s. The 42 pieces vary from battle music to pavanes, clearly designed to keep the listener entertained. In particular, the battle music (CD 1, track 4), speculated to be related to the Desmond's Rebellion, a war in Ireland, is unique in its descriptive elements and is notable as a pioneer in this type of music. The erudite Belder's performance is dignified and stable, as befits a monumental collection of music from the late English Renaissance, and he brings out beautiful sounds from each of the five different instruments. Incidentally, the bird on the case is an image of a kingfisher from a Japanese work included in Belder's hanging scroll collection. The booklet includes a substantial essay in English by John Baxendale, co-editor of the latest edition of the score for this collection. About the work "My Lady Nevel's Book" is a collection of works that, like the "Fitzwilliam Virginal Book," covers the most popular genres of the time. Its contents include dances, variations, marches, counterpoint fantasies, and program pieces. The score for "The Songs of Madame Nevel" was transcribed under Byrd's own supervision by John Baldwin, a singer and Byrd supporter at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, and bound into a heavy, 192-page luxury book specification. This luxury book went through many twists and turns, including one time being owned by Queen Elizabeth I. In 2006, it came into the possession of the British Museum. The music used by Beldar is from a new edition published in 2021 by Lyrebird Music, edited and commented on by John Baxendale and Frances Knights.Since the first performance of "The Songs of Madame Nevel" was published by musicologist Hilda Andrews [1900-1983] in 1926, this is the first time in 95 years that it has been published. The title of the collection is believed to be Elizabeth Bacon [c.1541-1621]. Elizabeth was first married to Sir Robert Doily, who died in 1577; she married Sir Henry Neville the next year, in 1578, and died 15 years later, in 1593; in 1595 she married Sir William Perriam, who died in 1604; and in 1596 she married Sir William Bacon, who died in 1605. She remained a bachelor until her death. ＜Peter-Jan Belder (harpsichord) was born on January 19, 1966 in Capelle aan den Ijssel, in the western part of the Netherlands. He is an old musician who plays keyboard instruments such as harpsichord, clavichord, virginal, fortepiano, and organ, as well as recorder, and also conducts. He is known for his precise technique and solid sense of style, and all of his vast recordings are of a high standard.

Tracklisting:

1.My Ladye nevels Grownde, MB 57
2.Qui passe for my ladye nevell, MB 19
3.The Marche before the Battell, MB 93
4.The Battle, MB 94
5.The Galliarde for the Victorie, MB 95
6.The Barleye Breake, MB 92
7.A Galliarge Gygge, MB 18
8.The Huntes Upp, MB 41
9.Ut re mi Fa Sol La, MB 64
10.The first Pavian and Galliarde, MB 29~First Pavian
11.The first Pavian and Galliarde, MB 29~The Galliarde to the same
12.The II Pavian and Galliarde, MB 71~II Pavian
13.The II Pavian and Galliarde, MB 71~The Galliarde (to the same)
14.The III Pavian and Galliarde, MB 14~III Pavian
15.The III Pavian and Galliarde, MB 14~The Galliarde to the same