In November 2016, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the viol consort Fretwork, a project of major importance brought together leading vocal and instrumental performers in the field of early 17th century music, to record a CD of what is widely acknowledged to be some of the finest repertoire in all English sacred music: the consort anthems of Orlando Gibbons. 'In Chains of Gold' Volume 1 was released to wide critical acclaim, voted a 'Critic's Choice' in Gramophone of December 2017. Here are just a couple of the reviews:
This is the finest recording of this quintessentially English music that we are likely to have, and I urge everyone to start collecting these volumes as they appear over the coming years ... a real treat (Early Music Review, February 2018)
a stellar team ....these performances glimmer with all the yearning, devoutness and splendour of the age (BBC Music Magazine, February 2018)
This is the finest recording of this quintessentially English music that we are likely to have, and I urge everyone to start collecting these volumes as they appear over the coming years ... a real treat (Early Music Review, February 2018)
a stellar team ....these performances glimmer with all the yearning, devoutness and splendour of the age (BBC Music Magazine, February 2018)
In January 2019 the same forces joined to make a sequel:
'In Chains of Gold' Volume 2.
The final volume in this series
'In Chains of Gold Volume 3'
was released on February 28th 2025
'In Chains of Gold Volume 3'
was released on February 28th 2025
