Jenkins, Karl - Four-Part Consorts - Phantasm

In his four-part consort works, John Jenkins (1592–1678) demonstrated his much-praised contrapuntal skills, characterized by a fanatical devotion to the equality of the four independent parts. The often stormy and passionate music depicts the interaction of kindred spirits who are obsessively interested in lively struggle and restless soul-searching. Jenkins's ceaseless wanderings through wandering harmonies are intoxicating stuff, making the calm and farewell moments all the more deserved and poignant. This recording is part of Phantasm's long-term project to release Jenkins' complete consorts for four or six violas, complemented by Jenkins: Six-Part Consorts and Jenkins: Five-Part Consorts (both published by Linn). In more than half of the four-part pieces, the violas are accompanied by organist Daniel Hyde, whose sensitive adaptation of the original accompaniments on a fruity 17th-century-style instrument helps to fuel Jenkins' grandiose ambitions.