Eloquence Classics

To mark the reissue of this important Consort of Musicke recording, Anthony Rooley writes: ‘Of all the English Lute-Song Books of the Elizabethan/Jacobean Era none has been more misunderstood, nor wilfully maligned as John Maynard’s unique creation. Highly individual, full of rare humour, amazing invention – and at times quite exquisite poignancy – it deserves better!

Here is music from the very heart of elite Jacobean society; this is functional music intended to entertain and delight Noble Society and Intelligentsia, and specifically at the end of the Feast of Christmas, at Twelfth Night partying. Painted ‘roundels’ were customarily placed at each guest’s seat at the banquet where one side was plain, turned upmost, with the underside painted in characterful style with one of the basic human characters (there were thought to be twelve basic personality types according to Renaissance psychology).

Here is functional social music of the most elevated order, filled with humour and social reference. Listening again to these delightful pieces, I am transported into the very heart, mind and philosophy of this wonderfully obscure era of English Culture – at times seeming almost like an anticipation of ‘Monty Python-esque’ black humour that lies at the very heart of “Englishness”.’

Original notes and well as texts of the songs are included with this release, the first release on CD.