Courts of the early 1500s were handy musical trading posts, troupes of musicians coming and going with the horse-trading of monarchs. Catherine of Aragon brought Spanish viol players to London and the olde-worlde name of this album – which features some of the earliest surviving manuscripts for viol consort and voice from around Europe – comes from Henry XIII court reports of “mynstrelles with straunge sounds as sagbuts, vyolles & oethers”. Composers featured include Josquin des Prez, Hayne van Ghizeghem, Johannes Martini, Henry XIII himself and plenty of Anonymous. The Rose Consort of Viols play diligently, if a little humourlessly, but all ears will be on the glorious singing of mezzo Clare Wilkinson. Her soft voice is totally beguiling in this intimate repertoire: full of elegant contours and no sharp edges, perfect for weaving among the gentle viols.
