Fretwork - Matthew Locke: The Flat Consort (2022) Hi-Res

Matthew Locke was born 400 years ago in 1622, and while he is often ranked as one of England’s finest composers, he is still unaccountably neglected: his music may not be as immediately appealing as his immediate successor, Henry Purcell, nor as wide- ranging as William Byrd, yet his forceful musical personality and luxuriant technique place him in the first echelon of English composers, with his works described by Richard Boothby of Fretwork as having a “quixotic, capricious restlessness that is constantly challenging the listener to follow his argument … a thrilling musical ride”. Accompanying Fretwork on continuo for this recording are David Miller (archlute and theorbo) and Silas Wollston (harpsichord).

The cover of the album bares an inscription in the walls by the choir stall of Exeter Cathedral, thought to have been carved by the composer during his time as a member of the choir there.

In 2021, Fretwork celebrated its 35th anniversary. In the past three and a half decades they have explored the core repertory of great English consort music, from Taverner to Purcell, and made classic recordings against which others are judged. Their recent critically- praised releases with Signum include If and Lamento – both with counter-tenor Iestyn Davies – and In Nomine 2 (BBC Music Magazine).
Tracklist
01. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 1 in C Minor: I. Fantazia
02. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 1 in C Minor: Ii. Courante
03. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 1 in C Minor: Iii. Fantazia
04. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 1 in C Minor: Iv. Saraband
05. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 1 in C Minor: V. Fantazia
06. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 1 in C Minor: Vi. Jigg
07. Locke: Duo for 2 Bass Viols in C: I. Fantazia
08. Locke: Duo for 2 Bass Viols in C: Ii. Fantazia
09. Locke: Duo for 2 Bass Viols in C: Iii. Courant
10. Locke: Duo for 2 Bass Viols in C: Iv. Fantazia
11. Locke: Duo for 2 Bass Viols in C: V. Fantazia
12. Locke: Duo for 2 Bass Viols in C: Vi. Saraband
13. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 2 in B-Flat Major: I. Fantazia
14. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 2 in B-Flat Major: Ii. Courant
15. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 2 in B-Flat Major: Iii. Fantazia
16. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 2 in B-Flat Major: Iv. Saraband
17. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 2 in B-Flat Major: V. Fantazia
18. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 2 in B-Flat Major: Vi. Jigg
19. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 3 in D Minor: I. Fantazia
20. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 3 in D Minor: Ii. Courante
21. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 3 in D Minor: Iii. Fantazia
22. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 3 in D Minor: Iv. Saraband
23. Locke: Duo for 2 Bass Viols in D: I. Fantazia
24. Locke: Duo for 2 Bass Viols in D: Ii. Fantazia
25. Locke: Duo for 2 Bass Viols in D: Iii. Courant
26. Locke: Duo for 2 Bass Viols in D: Iv. Fantazia
27. Locke: Duo for 2 Bass Viols in D: V. Fantazia
28. Locke: Duo for 2 Bass Viols in D: Vi. Saraband
29. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 4 in B-Flat Major: I. Fantazia
30. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 4 in B-Flat Major: Ii. Galliard
31. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 4 in B-Flat Major: Iii. Fantazia
32. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 4 in B-Flat Major: Iv. Saraband
33. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 5 in A Minor: I. Fantazia
34. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 5 in A Minor: Ii. Galliard
35. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 5 in A Minor: Iii. Fantazia
36. Locke: The Flat Consort, Suite No. 5 in A Minor: Iv. Saraband