Lab’rinths

The program name ‘Lab’rinths’ evokes the spiritual mystery and human turmoil captured so clearly by Purcell and his contemporaries. Taken from a collection of sacred songs published in 1688 by Henry Playford, ‘Harmonia Sacra’, these devotional songs by Purcell can often be interpreted as biblical ‘mad scenes’: they offer the listener a glimpse into his most dramatic and harmonically adventurous explorations of personal loss, confusion, spiritual angst and delirious ecstasy. These songs will be sung by baritone Jonathon Adams and accompanied by Mélisande Corriveau on viola da gamba and Eric Milnes on organ and harpsichord. Interpolating these vivid scenes are pieces written for two viols by contemporaries of Purcell, including the works of John Jenkins, William Lawes and John Withy. Susie Napper will join Corriveau and Milnes for these instrumental selections.

Part of the 2021 Vancouver Bach Festival

Please note that this is a recording session for EMV’s Digital Concert Hall, not a traditional concert.

PROGRAM:

In the black dismal dungeon

Henry Purcell (1659-1695) Text by William Fuller (1608-1675)

Suite no 2 in C major

Pavan on a theme by Alfonso Ferrabosco

William Lawes (1602-1645)

How have i strayed

Purcell

Text by William Fuller

Suite in D Major/minor

Ayre, Almand, Almand

John Jenkins (1592-1678)

Tell me, some Pitying Angel

(The Blessed Virgin’s Expostulation)

Purcell

Words by Nathaniel Tate (1652-1715)

Chaconne from the Suite in D Major

Godfrey Finger (c.1660-1730)

How long great god

(The Aspiration)

Purcell

Text by John Norris (1657-1711)

Fantasia in G Major

John Withy (Fl. c.1650)

With sick and famished

Purcell

Air no 5 in d minor

Withy

Let the night perish – a minor

JOB’s Curse, Translated by Dr. Taylor Bishop of Down in Ireland

Purcell

Words by Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667)

Lord what is man A Divine Hymn

Two in one upon a Ground

An evening hymn On a Ground

Purcell

Texts by William Fuller