Music
Course pitch will be A=440, however, informal sessions may also be at A=415.
The course is open to all singers, bowed and plucked strings (including viols, folk fiddles, baroque and modern strings, lutes, cittern, renaissance & baroque guitars, and modern acoustic guitars). Recorders and other woodwind instruments are welcome (including bassoon or dulcian). For keyboard (continuo) players, participants are welcome to bring their own instruments, but both harpsichord and organ will also be available.
Participants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the music to be studied on the course in advance. Music not in copyright will be available for download on this page in due course. A list of other works, and recommended editions, etc will also be added.
The course is open to all singers, bowed and plucked strings (including viols, folk fiddles, baroque and modern strings, lutes, cittern, renaissance & baroque guitars, and modern acoustic guitars). Recorders and other woodwind instruments are welcome (including bassoon or dulcian). For keyboard (continuo) players, participants are welcome to bring their own instruments, but both harpsichord and organ will also be available.
Participants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the music to be studied on the course in advance. Music not in copyright will be available for download on this page in due course. A list of other works, and recommended editions, etc will also be added.
The music list will appear here as applications come in, and tutors select appropriate repertoire. Therefore, if you are considering joining us, the sooner your application is received, the sooner we can select music, and then it will appear here!
Full course repertoire for all singers and players
click the music for a larger image
The works to be studied by the whole course will explore stage music of the late 17th and early 18th century, taking in music from the Beggar's Opera and Purcell's Bonduca.
The image here is a page from Purcell's Bonduca - one of his last works, written in the year that he died. Bonduca is Boadicea, or Boudicca, who, like England at the time (1695), was anti-Rome. It is incidental music to a play adapted from Fletcher's tragedy Boudicca, but there is no sense that the uninspiring, politically motivated text inhibited Purcell's creativity. It opens with the drunks' song, Jack Thou are a Toper, which has a humorously boozy lilt. Later, the chorus Britons Strike Home is as sinew-stiffening as anything he wrote. Sing Ye Druids runs over a cunning ground bass and Oh Lead Me borrows its opening phrase from Dowland's Lachrimae in a conscious harking back to a golden age.
We will also explore music by Thomas Ravenscroft. Both Ravenscroft and Purcell are, of course, known for their many catches and rounds, drinking songs, and the like. We will naturally include an appropriate selection of these, but will also study some of Ravenscroft's anthems - surprisingly sturdy, but expressive music.
Scores and instrumental parts will be available for download here in due course.
The image here is a page from Purcell's Bonduca - one of his last works, written in the year that he died. Bonduca is Boadicea, or Boudicca, who, like England at the time (1695), was anti-Rome. It is incidental music to a play adapted from Fletcher's tragedy Boudicca, but there is no sense that the uninspiring, politically motivated text inhibited Purcell's creativity. It opens with the drunks' song, Jack Thou are a Toper, which has a humorously boozy lilt. Later, the chorus Britons Strike Home is as sinew-stiffening as anything he wrote. Sing Ye Druids runs over a cunning ground bass and Oh Lead Me borrows its opening phrase from Dowland's Lachrimae in a conscious harking back to a golden age.
We will also explore music by Thomas Ravenscroft. Both Ravenscroft and Purcell are, of course, known for their many catches and rounds, drinking songs, and the like. We will naturally include an appropriate selection of these, but will also study some of Ravenscroft's anthems - surprisingly sturdy, but expressive music.
Scores and instrumental parts will be available for download here in due course.
