Running Time: 45 minutes
Essence of Enlightenment
Three distinctive and engrossing short programmes performed and devised by principal players from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and showcasing music from great Baroque composers including Purcell and Bach, as well as gems from lesser-known composers such as Böhm and Locke. The players from this orchestra are renowned for their historical expertise, virtuosic abilities on period instruments and forward-looking flair in performing and communicating.
Nicola Matteis Divisions in D minor
Thomas Baltzar Pavan and Galliard in C
John Jenkins Fantasia in F for two trebles and bass
Nicola Matteis Fantasia for solo violin
Matthew Locke Fantasia in C from The Broken Consort
Henry Purcell Pavan in G minor Z780
Three Parts on a Ground Z731
Matthew Truscott, Alison Bury, Catherine Mackintosh violins
Jonathan Manson viola da gamba
Steven Devine organ/harpsichord
The thriving musical life of Restoration London attracted many foreign composers and performers. Among them was the German violinist Thomas Baltzar, whose Suite in C major for three violins and continuo introduced to England a popular northern European scoring - though its opening Pavan and Galliard are dances in the English tradition. The same instruments are used in the Divisions, or variations, over a repeating ground bass by the Neapolitan violinist Nicola Matteis, who, as his solo Fantasia suggests, must have been an outstanding virtuoso.
John Jenkins wrote chiefly in the native English tradition of the fantasia in several sections for viol consort; but the lively writing of his Fantasias for two trebles and a bass (completed by 1650) seems more suited to violins than to viols. His younger colleague Matthew Locke added keyboard continuo to this trio sonata scoring, and followed a fantasia with a series of dances, in each of the six suites that he wrote in 1661 for the King's private ‘Broken Consort'.
The great Henry Purcell contributed two early works to the repertoire for three violins and continuo: a Pavan, possibly written in memory of Jenkins; and a set of variations for ‘Three Parts on a Ground' of fertile invention and great contrapuntal ingenuity.
Multi-buy Offers: Book tickets and save money
NOT AVAILABLE ONLINE
To receive the multi-buy offers detailed below, please contact our Box Office on 020 7520 1490. The discount will be offered on the online price.
3+ events save 10%
6+ events saves 15%
10+ events save 20%
The same number of tickets must be booked for each event to qualify for the discount.
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Date: Friday 10 September
Time: 21:30
Venue: Hall One
Please note that online booking closes 90 minutes prior to the start of the performance.
