Terz

Description

As an ensemble Terz use not only standard (Tenor) guitars but also various combinations of these together with Contrabass, Terz and Requinto instruments. A substantial part of the programme contains original transcriptions and arrangements, which make use of the various tone colour possibilities presented by blending these different types of guitars. In addition their repertoire is drawn from a variety of sources, not all normally associated with the guitar, and contains substantial but lesser known works not often heard in their original format, e.g. Beethoven’s Sonatina for piano and mandolin, and also his Sonata in D opus no. 6, originally for piano duet.

 

“We believe our use of original arrangements coupled with a flexible approach to instrumentation allows for a truely varied and entertaining concert”.

 

 

 

About Music of The Stuarts

 

The Stuart dynasty ruled in Scotland from 1371 to 1603, and as a result James IV’s marriage to Margaret Tudor, Henry the VIII’s older sister, in 1503, were the natural monarchical choice to succeed Queen Elizabeth I on her death i 1603, as rulers ofthe two kingdoms. Although the removal of the Scottish Royal Court from Edinburgh to London resulted in a serious loss of local patronage in Scotland, the Stuarts were patrons of all the arts throughout their period in England, especially music.

In making this recording, it was clear from the outset that an anthology was not possible. Perhaps a dozen CD’s could reasonably address the enormous range of musical types, vocal and instrumental, that would be required. Additionally, although the guitar family is suitable for certain types of older music, because of its inability to sustain notes (unlike members of the string or wind families) music requiring this characteristic has to be excluded. In a single recording, the most that can be achieved is a modest sampling that indicates something of the character of a particular court period. Thus, many composers have, regrettably, been excluded in order to gain historical coverage.

 

Historical coverage begins with the Scottish Royal Court in the sixteenth century, extends to James II/VII, then to the court in exile and the end of the Jacobite era. It thus omits the reigns of William and Mary, and Queen Anne. While these reigns were by persons of undoubted Stuart lineage, in the minds of those of Jacobite persuasion, there was a question of their legitimacy as sovereigns. Jacobites (from the latin ‘Jacobus’ = James) saw legitimate succession as passing through James II/VII to his son, James Francis, born 1688, later known as James III/VIII to adherents of the Stuart cause, the ‘Old Pretender’ to supporters of the Whig government in the eighteenth century.

 

“An inspired release that deserves every success”– Classical Guitar Magazine Dec 2004

                           

“I love the Elizabethian period of music. It’s still almost Medieval, but with a promise of the Renaissance to come. These guitarists capture the feel of the period and blend different guitars into a wonderful musical mix. Some of the higher sounds could almost be ukulele, and may in fact be the Portugese Machete that eventually became the ukulele. This is good music, well played. More than worth the price of the CD. If you love old music well performed, pick this one up.”

 

John O’Connor (Amazon.com review)

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