If you’re prepared for 71 minutes of entertaining, expertly sung and played music that just happens to be from the 16th and 17th century Brussels court of Albert and Isabella, then get your hands on this fine CD and just enjoy it. Music flourished during the tenure of these two rulers of the Low Countries (until Albert’s death in 1621), and composers represented on this program reflect the prestige of the palace’s position in the culture of Europe at the time. Lassus, Josquin, Adrian Willaert, and Peter Philips are just a few of the names whose music–songs and dances–is performed here by tenor Stephan Van Dyck and the instrumental ensemble La Cetra d’Orfeo (The Lyre of Orpheus). Van Dyck is one of the more engaging singers you’ll hear on the early music scene, and has a lovely, clear, expressive voice. He really knows the songs and presents them tastefully and stylishly, giving full rein to the meaning of the texts. The instrumentalists are first rate period practitioners, and although their instruments unfortunately aren’t listed, we recognize lute, various strings, organ, and harpsichord–but there also are some wonderful surprises, especially in the last selection, “Jean de Nivelles”, a chanson from a 17th century collection by Jacques Mangeant. Highlights include the sweet chanson “Hélas Amour!” and lively bransle “Dibedibedon”, sung with great character and flair by Van Dyck, and the wild instrumental dance “Shiarazula Marazula”. The sound is mostly just right, except for some boominess when the low percussion is playing.
