Comparisons are sometimes very instructive. This new CD of music\ncomposed by John Dowland for his patrons features several songs\nthat Emma Kirkby and Anthony Rooley recorded right back in the\n1970s at the start of their careers. I saw my ladye weepe is one;\nthe youngerversion is quicker, the simpler song of a courtly youth,\nthe newer one more inflected, more coloured and bearing the\nsophistication of Elizabeth herself. The passage of time has been\nremarkably kind to the Queen of Early Musics voice and its beauty\nis unimpaired. If her sound is less boyish and pure, it is now\nwarmer and used with discrete vibrato. The excellent diction and\nstorytelling remain a wonder. In this delicate music of great\nsubtlety, poise and restraint - some of the finest settings of the\nEnglish language you will ever hear - Kirkby is hors de\nconcours. Combined with Anthony Rooleys sensitive lute playing\nthis singers new disc will give you many hours of listening\npleasure.

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Bruce Raggatt is from Readings Malvern, Hawthorn, & Port\nMelbourne

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