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
