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.
