James Weeks: Book of Flames and Shadows

£13.00

Release Date: 2022
Label: Winter & Winter

Book of Flames and Shadows is a continuous sequence of music lasting about an hour, incorporating two pieces by James Weeks and madrigals by Jacques Arcadelt (1507-68).

Description

Book of Flames and Shadows is a continuous sequence of music lasting about an hour, incorporating two pieces by James Weeks and madrigals by Jacques Arcadelt (1507-68). Its theme is the discovering, or awakening, of the sensual and erotic power of the spoken word, and its transformation into song, through the love poetry of Petrarch (1304-74) and his later imitators, including Pietro Bembo (1470-1547).

James Weeks Fantasie di strani e dolci misteri della parola (with Sophie Appleton, violin)
Jacques Arcadelt Madrigals from Il primo libro de’ madrigali
James Weeks Libro di fiammelle e ombre

Delivery & returns

Delivery costs: £2 UK, £5 EU & £7 worldwide. Items are usually dispatched within 48 hours.
Full refunds are available up to 28 days after receipt, payable on return of the items.
Contact manager@exaudi.org.uk to set up return delivery.

Reviews

“On Book of Flames and Shadows Weeks and Arcadelt are intertwined, throwing light and revelation on each other. Weeks is artistic director of EXAUDI, and he has long made mixing old and new music a signature feature of his programming for them. EXAUDI are six-strong on this recording, but the Arcadelt is sung by four male voices alone, Tom Williams’s countertenor offering a steely focus to the top line…The second section is an extended (nine minute) dream sequence which is giddy in the most tasteful way, Lucy Goddard delivering a hypnotic, spell-binding tour-de-force.” The Arts Desk

“There is a lot to take in with this wonderful album — though both composers demand very different things from the ensemble, the singers glide through it like the very swans on the album cover or sung about in Il Bianco e Dolce Cigno.

Lume from Weeks’s Libro di Fiammelle e Ombre is another standout work in this album, though the whole album must be merited on its skill and beauty.

For an ensemble celebrating their 20th anniversary this is quite the remarkable achievement — so here’s hoping for at least another 20 years.” Morning Star

Subscribe to our mailing list

Subscribe
EXAUDI registered address: School House, East Howle, Ferryhill, DL17 8RX
EXAUDI Company Number: 7134930.  Charity Number: 1134465
© EXAUDI
Design by Marshall Light Studio