Reviews

The Singing:

• “The two vocalists introduced and delivered the songs (witty, wistful and heartbreakingly poignant music) with relaxed style and panache.” The Herald
• “There is a warmth and purity to Cooper’s voice which blends well with Hugh-Jones’ slightly rougher-edged tones. Both sing superbly.” The Scotsman

The Playing:

• “Delicious, unforced accompaniments.” The Herald
• “The intricate twists and turns of the harmonies elegantly executed.” The Scotsman
• “The recorder… a dazzling display of virtuosity.” Early Music News
• “Percussive effects absolutely right and necessary.” Perth Advertiser

Our Concerts:

• “A rich mosaic of music, filling in what is often left out of the history books. All human life and emotion is here.” The Scotsman
• “Entertaining and informative introductions.” Peeblesshire News
• “The audience became more and more entranced. This is music that resonates with human emotion.” East Lothian Courier
• “A beautiful little programme from an excellent group. Watch out for them.” The Herald
• “A fascinating and beautifully performed programme…. a very special recital” Forfar Dispatch
• “Fires of Love led us with an unerring sense of style through a treasure-trove of 16th and 17th century vocal and instrumental music” Dundee Courier

Reviews of “Chansons A Plaisir” (Delphian Records, Edinburgh)

Chansons a Plaisir is Edinburgh-based Fires of Love second disc for Delphian, and a fitting way to mark the quartet’s tenth anniversary. Comprising Frances Cooper (soprano and percussion), Marcus Claridge (percussion), Gordon Ferries (lute, 4-course guitar and percussion) and Jonathan Hugh-Jones (baritone, recorders and lute), the ensemble offers a multiplicity of colours and textures, from unaccompanied voice or guitar to full ensemble. Those colours and textures are placed fully at the service of the songs and dances on this recording of music from the time of performer, composer and publisher Adrian le Roy (c1520-1698).

The solo contributions by Gordon Ferries are characterised by his usual supple musicianship and unerring good taste. Most of the pieces are by le Roy and Guillaume Morlaye - though one of the highlights in this area is the Pavanne & Galliarde by Pierre Attaignant. Ferries uses a four-course Renaissance guitar for the most part, and its delicate pungent qualities are equally suited to vigorous strumming and more contrapuntal textures.

Ferries also proves to be a sensitive accompanist to Frances Cooper’s clear, attractive soprano, especially in those songs which represent early examples of the air de cour. Excellent too is a version of Arcadelt’s Il bianco et dolce cigno for soprano, bass and lute, baritone Jonathan Hugh-Jones here proving himself Cooper’s expressive equal.

In recorder mode, Hugh-Jones is equally persuasive, as in Thomas Crequillon’s Cessez mes yeulx, where he again joins Cooper and Ferries, while the versatile Marcus Claridge’s percussion is heard to great effect throughout this highly enjoyable release.

Goldberg Early Music Magazine April 2008, four stars.

This is lovely repertoire, as many readers will already know, and Fires of Love is a splendidly accomplished Edinburgh-based group who make a lovely ensemble. Punctuated by lovely lute and guitar pieces, most of the songs are sung by the lovely Frances Cooper. If her lovely voice was the last thing I ever heard, I’d be happy. Lovely music, lovely singing. The Parisian sources of all the original publications from which the songs have been selected are meticulously recorded in the sleeve notes, and the background to the music is illuminated in an excellent sleeve note … clearly Fires of Love are concerned with authenticity … plenty to enjoy.

David Hill

Early Music Review, April 2008

Reviews of “LOVE & RECONQUEST” Music of Renaissance Spain (Delphian Records, Edinburgh)

“A high-octane tour of instrumental and vocal music from 15th & 16th Century Spain. The four performers of Fires of Love have a fine instinct for this repertoire and a degree of versatility permits a gratifying range of textures, while some particularly fine and well-blended singing from Frances Cooper and Jonathan Hugh-Jones, and expressive and rhythmical guitar, vihuela and percussion playing from Gordon Ferries and Marcus Claridge leads to some engaging interpretations of even the most familiar of this repertoire. Jonathan Hugh-Jones’ informative programme note clearly shows the amount of input required to bring cold written lines to life, and the present performers certainly achieve a gold star for ingenuity.”

SCOTTISH EARLY MUSIC FORUM

“Very moving, especially the exquisite arrangement of the three Christmas villancicos with their gently strummed accompaniments.”

“The instrumental playing is impressive throughout. The vihuela solos, by Milan, Mudarra, Narvaez and Fuenllana, are all delivered with assurance and just the right amount of rhythmic flexibility, and the recorder gives a dazzling display of virtuosity in the Ortiz recercada. The accompaniments to all the vocal pieces were particularly imaginative and well thought out, and were enhanced by percussion playing of an unusual degree of subtlety.  Anyone in love with this particular repertoire should find much to enjoy in it.”

LUTE SOCIETY NEWS

“The idea behind this CD is interesting and the booklet notes by Jonathan Hugh-Jones are quite outstanding in their clear explanation of the music in its historical background and context.

“‘Fires of Love’ consist of four young musicians  and includes a delightful and beautiful soprano Frances Cooper whose vocal contribution is quite delicious. The guitar and vihuela playing is poised and elegant. Particularly fine here are the Fantasias by the great Luis Milan (d.1560) and Mudarra. I would also mention a fine, realistic and upfront recording in an excellent church acoustic which I have not come across before.”

MUSIC WEB

Le Roy dominated French musical life in the second half of the 16th century, as musician, composer, arranger and publisher. The songs and dances on this CD, by Le Roy and some of his rivals, straddle the worlds of music and theatre, street and court, joy and sorrow. Winningly performed by Fires of Love, they show how, a century before Marin Marais, French composers made the popular sophisticated and vice versa.

Andrew Clark

FOUR STARS Mar 22, 2008 WEEKEND Financial Times