CDs of The Greate Consort recorded by John Hadden

Gramophone
"The Greate Consort, led by distinguished violinist Monica Huggett, are releasing the ten suites of the Royall Consort separately (and not in numerical order), which actually makes very little difference since this is not music one would recommend for extended listening, any more than one would five Mozart quartets one after another. These works, if not as profoundly romantic in spirit as the large-scored Fantasias, are courtly chamber works of supreme quality. Lawes is a master of line; what logic and textural finesse we detect, for instance, in the Corant of Suite No. 6 in D: true refinement (in its proper meaning of human dignity reflected in acute perceptions - not merely self-conscious daintiness) and a graciousness which, unlike many later baroque courtly styles, still has the rough grain of an honest composer writing as much for artistic self-discovery as to satisfy royal obligations.
Volume 2 is really more of the same, in terms of the more delectable qualities which characterized the performances of the first volume, even if the major-key music here demands rather more extroversion. The soft-grained and unforced string timbre of The Greate Consort is underpinned by delightfully subtle and undemonstrative theorbo playing. Maybe in such an obvious group-effort it is invidious to pick out individuals but English consort music is often more treble-dominated than we might think. Monica Huggett leads by example with tonal sweetness and exemplary musicianship. Rare qualities indeed, and treasure from which she has effected chamber music playing of the very highest quality. Highly recommended."

Click below to Listen to Samples or Buy Lawes Royal Consorts Volume I
In the U.S. -	In the U.K.-	In Germany -

Click below to Listen to Samples or Buy Lawes Royal Consorts Volume II
In the U.S. -	In the U.K.-	In Germany -