Les Voix Humaines - John Jenkins: Fantasias (2001)

John Jenkins, the historian Roger North noted in 1728, wrote "hors(e)loads" of music, so much "that the private music in England was in a great measure supplied by him." Much of it was for the predominant instrumental ensemble of the time, the viol consort, whose repertory had a distinct melancholy tone. Jenkins reproduces this tone on the surface, but his music had a cheerful, inventive cast that could not be repressed, even in the minor-key numbered fantasias heard on this CD. They seem to overflow with melody and with elaboration or, as North called it "division" -- "and some of his consorts was too full of them." This attractive disc can serve as a good introduction to Jenkins's music, which is less often performed than that of Purcell of William Lawes. English music of the seventeenth century is usually prized for its emotional profundity or for its contrapuntal art, and Jenkins does not really excel at either of these. But hear the opening suite, simply entitled The 5 Bells, with its programmatic suggestion of bell patterns within the seemingly foreign context of the viol consort -- it's attractive, engaging music, and the listener's interest from there on out does not flag. One can understand why Jenkins had a long, successful career and lived to be 86 years old, through some of the most violent years in England's history. Montreal-based group Les Voix Humaines doesn't have the smoothest viol textures on disc, and some of its expressive devices in the fantasias tend toward the over-romantic. But the enthusiasm of the group's playing is entirely appopriate to Jenkins's spirit.