PROGRAMMES
STILE ANTICO E MODERNO
This duo recital explores the early practice of playing diminutions over some of the most beautiful madrigals and chansons of the 16th century as exemplified by Ortiz, Rognoni and Bovicelli and by improvising our own. These are played alongside the virtuosic and often dramatic early violin sonatas and theorbo toccatas by Fontana, Uccelini, Marini, Pandolfi Mealli and Kapsberger.
LES PLAISIERS DE VERSAILLES
The title, taken from a short opera by Charpentier, aptly describes French music of the 17th century: expressive, colourful and sensual in its harmonic complexity and rhythmic verve. A duo programme of suites by Marais for bass viol, violin sonatas by Rebel and theorbo pieces by de Visee. Trio sonatas by Couperin, Marais and Hotteterre for two violins, violin and flute, theorbo and bass viol.
ROYAL CONSORT
English chamber music of the 17th century composed for the Private Music of Charles I by Lawes and for Charles II by Locke was written in the form of fantasy suites that delight in angular and quirky phrasing, and contrast melancholic pavans with lively dances in cross rhythms.
The sonatas by Purcell were published in 1683 'in imitation of the famed Italian masters' as a token of the composer's confidence in 'the power of the Italian Notes, and elegancy of their Compositions'.
This programme presents some of the finest instrumental music written in the 17th century.
The 'Broken Consort' by Matthew Locke and the Sonatas in Four Parts by Henry Purcell for two violins, bass viol and theorbo.
The glorious 'Royal Consort' by William Lawes for two violins, two gambas and theorbos.
HEINRICH BIBER
Mystical, dashingly inventive and virtuosic, Biber's violin writing was described by the 18th century music historian Charles Burney as 'the most difficult and the most fancyful I have seen of the same period'. The Amphion Consort has performed the entire Rosary Sonatas by Biber as well as the 1681 sonatas for violin and continuo and the Harmonia Artificioso - Ariosa for two violins/ two violas d'amore and continuo.
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