CDs recorded by John Hadden -- The
Harp Consort - Luz y norte (Spanish Dances)
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Deutsche Harmonia
Mundi 05472 77340-2
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Ruiz de
Ribayaz Luz y norte
The Harp Consort
Paul
O'Dette, guitar/lute/banduria/theorbo
Pat O'Brien, guitar/banduria
Thomas Ihlenfeldt, guitar /theorbo
Steve Player, guitar /dncr
Hille
Perl, viola da gamba/lirone
Jane Achtman, viola da gamba
Pedro Estevan,
percussion
Andrew Lawrence-King harp/psaltery/organ/harpsichord
A 17th centuly collection of Spanish, Italian, South American
and
African dance music, Luz y Norte was the first recording by
Andrew Lawrence-King's ensemble, The Harp Consort, in which the group explored
the possibilities of improvisation on CD.
Number one in the Australian Classical Charts for five
weeks
Awarded Diapason D'Or |
Amadeus (Italy) - Voted CD of the year by Amadeus
listeners
"This CD begins with the lullaby rhythm of the sweetest
Passacaglia. The dynamic is the hushed whisper of a Spanish harp. The movement
is dreamy and we are made participants in secret, intimate music-making. The
second piece takes up where the first left off: the same magic, the same sense
of improvisation. But a few bars from the beginning a far-off drumming is felt,
that forces the harp to 'dance', to join in with a rhythm that becomes closer
and more and more catchy, driven on by flamenco strumming on three gypsy
guitars and a theorbo. It is difficult to describe the enthusiasm that grips
the listener. An enthusiasm that changes to surprise when the ensemble is
joined by a lirone and a gigantic bass drum. Those are two moments from a CD
that is extremely beautiful and intelligently provocative in its life between
the areas of art-music and popular traditions, and in its exploration of the
little known and hither-to uncelebrated baroque music of Luz y Norte, a 17th
century collection of dances from Spain, Italy, South America and Africa
assembled by a member of the decadent Spanish nobility of the age, Lucas Ruiz
de Ribayaz. The ancient art of improvisation is revived in grand style by the
liberating performance of The Harp Consort. Directed by the harpist, Andrew
Lawrence-King, a marvellous modern-day magician."
GRAMOPHONE
"The music is presented in both
solo-instrumental and various ensemble settings, several of the latter
according with the structure of dance bands of the time - with a veritable
shop-full of instruments. This was a period of experiment and adventure, and
the music reflects it in all its happier aspects; in turn, The Harp Consort
convey it in the most fascinatingly vivid and imaginatively varied way one
might wish for. Here is a joyous experience, not to be missed."
Amazon.com customer review
"Andrew
Lawrence-King outshines himself here, with the help of some of the world's best
musicians on their particular instruments. Absolutely stunning--a must have for
ANY CD collector"
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Dances) |
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