Catalogue

Summary:

Matthew Wadsworth is one of the foremost lutenists of his generation. Since graduating from the Royal Academy of Music in 1997, he has quickly gained recognition as one of leading exponents of the 17th-century lute repertoire. This includes the works of Robert Johnson, the last of the great English lutenists and the only known composer to have provided music for Shakespeare’s plays. Much of Johnson’s output is, remarkably, rarely recorded. On this CD, alongside well known songs such as Where the bee sucks and Care charming sleep, are many previously unrecorded masterpieces. Joining Matthew is soprano Carolyn Sampson, who has been described by The Gramophone as “now the best British early music soprano by quite some distance.”

Tracklist:

ROBERT JOHNSON (c.1582–1633)

1. Fantasia (3:32)
2. The gipsies’ dance (2:12)
3. As I walked forth (2:55)
4. Where the bee sucks (0:59)
5. Gallyard (1:54)
6. Woods, rocks and mountains (2:31)
7. Come hither you that love (2:19)
8. Tell me dearest (2:09)
9. Pavan I in C minor (5:15)
10. Almayne I (2:18)
11. Hark! Hark! the lark (0:53)
12. Away delights (3:33)
13. O let us howl (2:35)
14. Pavan II in F minor (6:36)
15. Almayne II (2:06)
16. How wretched is the state (2:20)
17. Have you seen the bright lily grow? (1:33)
18. Care-charming sleep (3:38)
19. Pavan III in C minor (6:11)
20. Almayne III (1:19)
21. Almayne IV (3:36)
22. With endless tears (2:24)
23. Come heavy sleep (1:49)

Total duration: 64:47

Recorded October 2003 and April 2004, St. Mary’s Church, South Creake, Norfolk
Produced by Jonathan Freeman-Attwood
Engineered by Patrick Naylor (Deux-Elles Classical Recordings)