ALL IN A GARDEN GREEN: Four Seasons of English Music [CD de audio] Ensemble Le Tendre Amour and Varios

A delightful collection of 17th century English songs, built around the great influence of the four seasons, and showing the great enthusiasm for music, especially amateur music, that took place during this era. During the Commonwealth of England (c.1640-1660), music almost completely disappeared from religious and court occasions. The use of instruments and music in churches was prohibited, and organs were destroyed by order of the regime, so the public turned to town and tavern musicians, country dances, and new music clubs to make music. Coinciding with the decline of the Elizabethan madrigal, popular music and settings by the famous poets of the time were popular; Similarly, keyboard variations on dance tunes and romantic songs for voice and lute were all the rage, and this continued into the Restoration years under Charles II. The influence of the monarch can be detected in the French style of some of the later works, with oboe and large string groups. This inspired musical output is perfectly captured in this new collection, performed with insight and sensitivity by the Ensemble Le Tendre Amour. Composers included are Purcell, Playford, Morley, Croft, Lawes, Byrd, Eccles, Ravenscroft and, of course, many anonymous works. From bucolic country music to sophisticated pieces for a gentrifying city audience, the music provides a vivid soundtrack to the turbulent life of 17th century England.