Viol Consort recordings that you can play along to

Elizabethan Conversation have produced a customisable range of CDs on the concept of Music Minus One. Using the speaker switch on your stereo or laptop, you can choose which part of a consort you play. Standard pitches are A=415 and A=440. Standards range from easy to advanced.

These CDs can be customised to your requirements, with slower tempi, your choice of pitch, and different temperaments. Each CD has tuning notes for your use, and the pices at practice tempi. You can also reasonably priced purchase sheet music (unbound) to play from if you don't already own an edition of the piece.

Saraband Music will order these sets for you to suit your particular requirements. For that reason, minimal stock will be kept. Prices vary depending on the amount of music and customisation required. Saraband will obtain a quote for you prior to ordering. In general, you can expect to pay approx A$50 (A$55 inc GST) or thereabouts for standard CDs, and up to A$70 ($77) for customised CDs. Prices can vary at any time.

Standard CDs available: (All ensemble CDs have practice tempi)

* Byrd: Fantasia in 5 parts, Preludium and Ground, Browning

* Easy dances: Susato, Praetorius and Arbeau. Branles de cevaux, Branle d'Escosse, Branle, Rond Tausend Ducaten, Branle de la Torche, and Ballet CCVXXVIII

* English Consort Music (easy): Brade - Satyr's Dance; Weelkes - Madrigals. 2 bonus pieces included

* English Consort Music (Int.): Set 2. Coperario - Fantasias 3 & 5, a4; Jenkins - Fantasias 5 & 6 & Almaine 1, a4; Lupo - Fantasia 1, a5

* English Consort Music (Int.): Set 2. Gibbons - Fantasias 1 & 2, a4; Tomkins - Pavan 1, and bonus piece. Byrd - Pavan a5

* English Consort Music (Int.): Set 2. Sextets. Ward - Fantasia 1; Gibbons - Fantasias 1-3

* English Consort Music (Int.): Set 2. Sextets. Ward - Fantasia 5; Gibbons - Fantasias 4-6

* English Consort Music (Adv.): Set 3. Lawes - Suite in c minor

* English Consort Music (Adv.): Set 3. Simpson - Bass viol duos, 1 & 2; Hingeston - Suite no. 84

* English Consort Music (Adv.): Set 3. Simpson - Bass viol duo no. 3; Locke - Fantasias 1 & 2, Courante; Tomkins - UtReMi a4

* 15th Cent. Fridolini MS. Consorts of 3 to 5 parts by Stockem, Henry VIII, Busnois and Josquin

* Tobias Hume: Lyra viol duets for 2 bass viols in staff notation tuned viol-way. Set 1: A maske; A mery conceit; A Spanish humor; An almaine; The Spirit of Gambo. Set 2: Musicke & Mirth, My joys are comming, Duke's Almaine; Earl of Montgomery's delight; King of Denmark's delight. Set 3: Spirit of Gambo, State of Gambo, The Virgins Music, Touch me sweetly

* Italian Canzonas (easy): Set 1: Maschera - 5 canzonas

* Italian Canzonas and Madrigals (easy): Set 2: Verdelot - I vostri acuti dardi; Bonelli - Amore donna ch'io te porto, la Doune Cella, Artemisia

* Ortiz - Recercadas from Tratado de Glosas for solo bass viol to the lute

* Pierre de la Rue - Four part selections from Marguerite of Austria's Chanson Album

* Sainte Colombe - Duets for 7 string bass viols: Le Change, Le Mesle (2), Tombeau les Regrets

* Christopher Simpson - The Months, for treble viol and 2 bass viols

Inexpensive sheet music available from this supplier for all CDs above if you don't have your own copy. Music is supplied as unbound sheets, and ranges from approx. A$8 to $16. A quote will be provided when you order.