The leaves are still green and the tree still fruiting! The latest brown nut to form is this intriguing new working of the old tune. Perhaps intended as a lure for elementary players, to induce them one day to the Big One (Byrd, or Linde?). There are eight statements of the tune, two for each player, and eight b-flats, the only accidentals in the piece, which has a strongly modal flavour and a mellowness brought about by the use of the lower and middle registers much of the time. An ostinato figure that appears first in the tenor then moves to the bass is but one facet of the composer’s skill that makes this a valuable work in its own right and a good introduction to the ‘Browning’ genre.
Paul Clark: Recorder Magazine, Summer 2000Back to Opening page
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