This CD is an anthology of the Dutch contrafact, which are not original songs but texts written to existing and well-known melodies. The word derives from a combination of contra (against or at) and factum (written on an already existing melody). Between 1550 and 1750 this was a much loved and much practised genre in The Netherlands. Numerous songbooks appeared: booklets in pocket format which could be easily retrieved from your pocket when you wanted to sing. They contained the texts and the melodies to which they should be sung, with a tune reference: ‘wyse’, ‘voys’, ‘stemme’, ‘vpden voix’, ‘op de wyse van’, etc. We have to retrace these melodies to be able to sing the songs. Fortunately, some songbooks have survived with the tunes added in musical notation. A great many other melodies can be traced back to the international song repertoire of the period. Other sources are, for instance, lute tablatures, dance books, etc. It is remarkable how many tunes originate outside The Netherlands. Many are French, English, or Italian; fewer are German and Spanish. These must have been popular – or at least known – in The Netherlands, beside the familiar Dutch tunes.

This highly varied and attractive collection of songs – beautifully sung and performed – is a very welcome addition to the catalogue.