Phantasm - William Byrd - BBC Music Magazine

The ensemble’s director, Laurence Dreyfus (himself something of a Renaissance man), combines rigorous intellect with sensitive musicianship. He leads his colleagues through a series of urbane discourses exploring the abstract, cerebral nature of Byrd’s consort music, beyond its earthy, folk-influenced style. Ensemble and intonation are flawless; keen rhythms and feather-light bowing give a lightness of touch to the dances. The recorded balance is acutely judged, too, ensuring that Byrd’s contrapuntal lines are always distinct. Listeners with surround-sound are placed thrillingly in the centre of these musical conversations.