The Art of David Munrow: Complete Warner Edition

A gifted singer and a brilliant multi-instrumentalist - with a legendary mastery of the recorder - David Munrow was a transformative force in early music. In 1967, alongside Christopher Hogwood, he founded the Early Music Consort of London, an ensemble that would redefine historical performance. His prolific discography on Warner Classics and Nonesuch remains a treasure trove of reference recordings, testifying to his immense virtuosity, eclecticism, and pioneering spirit.

When he died in May 1976, at only thirty-three, Munrow left behind a recorded legacy that, in its breadth and significance, rivaled - and in some respects surpassed - that of far more senior figures. His output ranged from the twelfth century to the high Baroque and the great vocal masterpieces of the Renaissance - with occasional forays into the twentieth century. A world-class director and a compulsive collector of instruments from around the globe, Munrow brought ancient sounds vividly to life with an infectious energy that continues to resonate today.

David Munrow was a transformative, largely self-taught figure who erupted into the British music scene in the 1960s. Born in Birmingham in 1942, his fascination with early music was ignited as a cathedral chorister and further solidified by his discovery of indigenous instruments in South America. He possessed a natural flair for communication, brilliantly presenting the music he loved through frequent BBC Radio 3 broadcasts and the popular youth program Pied Piper.

An abiding passion for the recorder and early wind instruments defined Munrow's professional life. He was a brilliant multi-instrumentalist who collected and mastered exotic instruments like the crumhorn, shawm, and rackett, bringing them into mainstream consciousness. His mastery was characterised by a "sure sense of line" and "quickfire articulation". His landmark project, The Art of the Recorder, remains a panoramic survey of the instrument's rich heritage, showcasing his virtuosity across a vast historical timeline

In 1967, Munrow founded The Early Music Consort of London, a versatile ensemble featuring other luminaries like Christopher Hogwood and James Bowman. As a director, he had a "great flair" for researching and planning thematic concert programs that blended scholarly principles with natural charm and humor. He was an intensive rehearser who demanded the highest standards, ensuring his concerts were sold-out events that transformed early music from a minority interest into a popular listening experience.

Munrow viewed recordings as indispensable for building an international reputation. In barely ten years, he produced a massive discography, including ambitious projects like the three-LP set The Art of Courtly Love and the groundbreaking Instruments of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. He was meticulously involved in every aspect of production, from selecting cover art and writing sleeve notes to advising on post-production editing to ensure a specific sound color and balance.

When Munrow took his own life at age thirty-three in May 1976, he left behind a legacy that "shook the stuffing out of early music". His recordings, such as Dufay's Mass Se la face ay pale, became benchmarks for the vocal ensemble style adopted by subsequent generations. His work remains a "treasure trove" for listeners today, characterised by a relentless "delight in discovery" and a "joy in performance" that continues to bring forgotten musical gems to life.

Artists: David Munrow (recorder), The Early Music Consort of London (ensemble), The Morley Consort (ensemble), David Munrow Recorder Consort (ensemble), Academy of St Martin in the Fields (orchestra), Menuhin Festival Orchestra (orchestra), Virtuosi of England (orchestra), London Philhamonic Orchestra (orchestra)

Conductors: David Munrow, Neville Marriner, Yehudi Menuhin, Arthur Davison, Adrian Boult