LOCKE Consorts Flat and Sharp
Locke: Consorts Flat and Sharp Locke, Matthew (c.1622-77) Phantasm / Elizabeth Kenny (theorbo) LINN: CKD737 This disc completes the suites ‘for my cousin Kemble’ begun on Phantasm’s previous Matthew Locke recording (CD 594) and twins them with suites from Locke’s ‘Little Consort’ (1656) which call for for a combination of three viols and chordal bass instrument - hence this pleasing partnership with Elizabeth Kenny (theorbo). Two suites in particular caught my attention and so I begin with an old favourite, the Little Consort suite No.10 in D. Being a long-time fan of Fretwork it bears obvious comparison with their recent release reviewed in January by Mark Seow (Signum SIGCD728). The differences are striking: whereas I find Fretwork to be nimble, deft and detailed - qualities I always admire in their playing - Phantasm are noticeably more demonstrative, being lead with flair from the treble viol by director, Laurence Dreyfus, they lean into Locke’s frequent eccentricities with broad a