Henry VIII and His Six Wives Music from the Film Soundtrack

I was once and still am a rocker, Led Zep, Van Halen, Scorpions, you get the idea, all favorites of mine back in the day and to this very day. But after watching the BBC Masterpiece Theater versions of The Six Wives of Henry VIII and Elizabeth R, I became intrigued with the music humming in the background. Someone on Youtube suggested this David Munroe's CD and I am so glad he did! FASCINATING, complex, no plainsong here. From plaintive to pulsating this music inspires one to learn as well as listen. It is very sad that Munroe is no longer with us - a young genius, he did leave his mark - and a beautiful legacy indeed.

I truly enjoy listening to this album and would recommend it to anyone who likes music from the late middle ages or the renaissance, particularly if they like Blackmore's Night. Three of the songs were translated into Blackmore's Night songs. I really like most of the songs, although Henry's Loneliness is tiresome and does not have the same tempo as the other songs. It is really something when an album has 32 songs and you like almost all of them.

I believe that the TV production was my intro to renaissance, elizabethan, medieval music many years ago. I've owned the LP for years and purchased many of Munrow's recordings both on LP and CD. For some reason I delayed in purchasing this CD version but I'm glad I finally did. Not only are the period pieces interpreted and played well, Munrow's own compositions are excellent.

The classic standards played nicely, if not in the most exciting way. A bit of a surprise since Munrow is usually more original.

Love it!!

pefect

I actually heard this on Ohio State's Radio Station, WOSU, wayback in the summer of 1971, I'd just picked up my dog from the vet's, there was a thundershower going on, and this fantasticalbum came on the air. I was immediately entranced with it, andimmediately bought the LP. It was out of print for many years,and so last summer when I was in Seattle for Cycle One of the Ring, I was overjoyed to see a copy of this at Tower Records;andinstantly purchased it.This is quite possibly one of the best Early Music discs evermade, bar none. In fact, I believe it set off the Early MusicRevolution-without it, there might be a much smaller interest inEarly Music due to living history enthusiasts, such as the SCA(Society for Creative Anachronism), Renfaire devotees, and others.This is the germinal album that started it all: it was the first time that a historical movie had been accurately scoredwith the music and instruments of the timeperiod-and David Mun-row's Early Music Consort's lively interpretations galvanizeda belated enthusiasm for Early Music that continues to evolveto this very day.In short, BUY THIS ALBUM-it is a classic. And wonderful to listen to. An added frisson is the Song by King Henry VIII him-self, "Pastime With Good Company," in his younger days he wasquite the all-round renaissance man, jouster, writer, composer,athlete, and his music is pretty good, too.As a companion album to this, I would highly recommend one of the other David Munrow albums to start with, Two RenaissanceDance Bands, which is LP format was known as Music of the Court:Music for King Henry VIII and Elizabeth I." This contrasts thedance music heard at both courts, and the times, also a desertisland early music disc.In short, BUY THIS DISC!!!!!!!!!!!It kicks musical Uknowwhat!!!It completely shatters the old, long-held belief that Early Music was dull, dull, dull. Far from it. It was every bit aslively as anything from the 18th, 19th centuries, and our own.

Like most if not all other reviewers here, I'm quite enthusiastic about this album. Almost entirely consisting of period tunes arranged by David Munrow, the disc is a delight from start to finish. Those already familiar with the sound of the Early Music Consort of London under Munrow will know what to expect -- most selection are in the group's more quiet mode rather than full band deployment. If you've not experienced that ensemble's vintage recordings, then this is as good a place as any to start. Highly recommended.

I saw this series way back as TV installments, when originally screened , they are not as glitzy as the Tudors but extremely authentic the actors were excellent and great scripts but Keith was magnificent, he was right in every respect. But towards the end so bloated and repulsive as in reality( his coffin broke apart) they would now not do a programme like this due possibly to oversea sales, He must have spent hours in make up and costume to achieve the authentic result , do see this and watch great actors with great scripts .

This collection encapsulates the unique work of David Munrow in bringing to life not only music associated with Henry VIII but other music of the Tudor/Renaissance period. David's untimely death at such a young age was a tragedy, not only in personal terms but in terms of the projects he might have been able to accomplish if he had lived longer. A must for anyone with a liking for courtly music of a byegone but very important age in British history. Sound reproduction and the integrity of the performances are both very good.

This was bought for a friend who had been looking for it for a long time. Very happy

Nice. Not too heavy going.

Die CD hatte ich mir bestellt, weil ich meine verrauschte Maxisingle oder besser EP 'Henry VII Suite', die zu der Ausstellung in Hampton Court (1970)gepresst wurde, ersetzen wollte.Zu meiner Überraschung gab es hier aber die Musik zu dem 1972 entstandenen Film mit u.a. Keith Michell, Donald Pleasance, Jane Asher und Lynne Frederick.Nach mehrmaligem Hören war ich aber auch hiervon begeistert. David Munrow verbindet wie gewohnt Renaissancemusik mit heutigen Melodien, setzt die altenElemente virtuos ein und schafft so eine unnachahmliche Atmosphäre. Es gibt getragene, klerikale Melodien, aber auch fröhliche Tanzmusik. Der Klang istgut und ordentlich ausbalanciert.Zu der Film inspirierten Musik gibt es noch Aufnahmen von 1976 und 77, die sich nahtlos anfügen. Ein abwechslungsreicher Hörgenuss.Die ursprünglich erwartete Aufnahme habe ich übrigens immer noch nicht.