Machault

The Little Consort is a captivating collection of ten suites composed by Matthew Locke, a prominent figure in the world of Baroque music. Originally created for the pupils of William Wake at Exeter Cathedral, these suites offer a delightful introduction to the viol consort repertoire. Published in London in 1656, when such music was rarely printed, The Little Consort showcases Locke's mastery of the genre. The suites, performed by ensembles like Fretwork with accompaniment from Sergio Bucheli on the theorbo and Silas Wollston on the harpsichord, provide a rich and immersive experience of 17th-century English music. Each suite, from the haunting G minor of Suite No. 1 to the more uplifting keys of the subsequent suites, reveals Locke's skill in crafting intricate and expressive compositions.