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Music for Virginal on CD

Navona Records proudly presents TISDALE VIRGINAL BOOK from harpsichordist and early keyboard specialist Charles Metz. The album features historical repertoire seldom heard even by Early Music aficionados, all performed on a painstakingly restored Francesco Poggi virginal built c. 1590. The virginal, a member of the harpsichord family, was popular in the late Renaissance into the early Baroque period. Metz opts to tune the virginal to A=406 Hz, rather than the modern A=440 Hz as the lower pitch allows for better resonance and tonal quality. He also uses the historically accurate quarter-comma meantone tuning which highlights the consonance and dissonance of the harmonies. Music from composers including William Tisdale (late 16th century), William Byrd (c. 1540 - 1623), John Dowland (1563 - 1626) and Thomas Morley (1557/8 - 1602) is featured on this lovingly-prepared album. Early Music enthusiasts will appreciate Metz's careful attention to detail as he guides listeners through this centuries-old repertoire.