Between Two Hearts: Renaissance Dances For Lute
We may think of dances as having stronger rhythmic emphasis than many of the pieces on this disc. There are plenty of accents and strummed chords to be found here but also some very gentle, lilting melodies. McFarlane has selected a very varied program from a number of Renaissance collections and then arranged the pieces to provide a listening program that never palls throughout the hour it lasts. Of course, much of the reason for the disc's maintaining our interest so well is the excellent playing of McFarlane, who is equally adept with bouncy tunes and tender ones. Dorian's very clear, resonant, realistic sound also adds to the enjoyment.--Leslie Gerber