Musicians In Ordinary Podcast

Music for Comus - Two Morris Dances by William Lawes

Two Morris Dances from William Lawes' Royal Consorts (Sets No. 5 & 6 in D maj.) that we used for the 'Country Dances &c' in our performance of John Milton's Comus.

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The Musicians In Ordinary string band is led by Christopher Verrette, 1st vln. with Patricia Ahern, 2nd vln. Felix Deak and Laura Jones, violas da gamba and John Edwards, theorbo. 

Music for Comus - Antic and Corant by William Lawes

The Antic dances of a masque were performed by professional dancers using preposterous gestures in the guise of some sort of subhuman species such as witches, apes or, in the case of John Milton's Comus, the entourage of the god of revelry 'a rout of monsters like men and women but headed like wild beasts their apparel glistering'.

An orphaned piece labelled 'Antic' by William Lawes (1602-1645) exists in a manuscript in two parts, treble and bass - here it is played with inner parts for 2nd violin and bass viol by Christopher Verrette. You will then hear a corant from Lawes' Royal Consort Set No. 5 in D maj. which has held notes in all parts at the beginning calling to mind The Witches' Dance from Macbeth and the Masque of Queens by Robert Johnson of the previous generation of masque music. The Musicians In Ordinary string band is led by Christopher Verrette, 1st vln. with Patricia Ahern, 2nd vln. Felix Deak and Laura Jones, violas da gamba and John Edwards, theorbo. 

Music for Comus - Pavan in d minor by William Lawes

A Pavan by William Lawes (1602-1645) is played by The Musicians In Ordinary string band led by Christopher Verrette, 1st vln. with Patricia Ahern, 2nd vln. Felix Deak and Laura Jones, violas da gamba and John Edwards, theorbo. 

This pavan quotes John Dowland's 'Lachrimae' theme, which had become a musical emblem for melancholy, at the beginning and alludes to Dowland's earlier pavan throughout. Check back to our 'Board Lutebook' episodes to hear a performance of Dowland's lute model. 

Lawes' piece exists in a version in c minor for viols and organ. 

John Milton‘s Comus with music by Henry and William Lawes - Part 2

John Milton's Comus (Bridgewater manuscript version), with the original songs set by Henry Lawes and dance music by William Lawes, directed by Heather Davies, performed by Roger Honeywell - Attendant Spirit, Paul Hopkins - Comus, Bethany Jillard - The Lady, Tracy Ryan - Elder Brother, Beryl Bain - Second Brother, and Tahirih Vejdani - Sabrina, with The Musicians In Ordinary string band led by Christopher Verrette, 1st vln. with Patricia Ahern, 2nd vln. Felix Deak and Laura Jones, violas da gamba and John Edwards, theorbo. 

(Sc. 1) The scene changes to a stately palace set out with all manner of deliciousness, soft music, tables spread with all dainties. Comus appears with his rabble, and the Lady set in an enchanted chair, to whom he offers his glass; which she puts by, and goes about to rise. 

(Sc.2) The scene changes, then is presented Ludlow town and the President's castle, then come in country dances, and the like etc. Towards the end of these sports the Dæmon with the 2 brothers and the Lady come in. 

John Milton‘s Comus with music by Henry and William Lawes - Part 1

John Milton's Comus (Bridgewater manuscript version), with the original songs set by Henry Lawes and dance music by William Lawes, directed by Heather Davies, performed by Roger Honeywell - Attendant Spirit, Paul Hopkins - Comus, Bethany Jillard - The Lady, Tracy Ryan - Elder Brother, Beryl Bain - Second Brother and Tahirih Vejdani - Sabrina, with The Musicians In Ordinary string band led by Christopher Verrette, 1st vln. with Patricia Ahern, 2nd vln. Felix Deak and Laura Jones, violas da gamba and John Edwards, theorbo. 

The first scene discovers a wild wood. Then a guardian spirit or Dæmon descends or enters. 

Pleasure Might Make Her Read - Poems and Music for the Sidneys 8b - Dump Philli

Lutenist John Edwards plays Dump Philli from the Marsh Lutebook. Pieces called 'Dump' are often memorial pieces and are often built on ground basses of as few as two notes, as is this one. In a much earlier, and much shorter version this piece is titled 'Arthur's Dump' and it has been suggested that this is a memorial piece for court lutenist Arthur Dewes by his colleague Philip van Wilder. These podcasts are supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Spem in Alium Fund of the Toronto Foundation.

Pleasure Might Make Her Read 8a - Poems and Music for the Sidneys - With how sad steps, o Moone from Astrophel and Stella

Tracy Ryan reads 'With how sad steps, O Moon, Sonnet 31 from Sir Philip Sidney's Astrophel and Stella, in original pronunciation of the time of Shakespeare and Sidney. These podcasts are supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Spem in Alium Fund of the Toronto Foundation. Pronunciation prepared by Hallie Fishel.

Pleasure Might Make Her Read - Poems and Music for the Sidneys 7b - The Countess of Pembrokes Funerals

Lutenist John Edwards plays Anthony Holborne's sombre pavan 'The Countiss of pembruth fineralle' as it is called in Jane Pickeringe's Lutebook, from which this highly decorated version is taken. The Countess of Pembroke is Lady Mary Sidney, whose father and brother died the same year. These podcasts are supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Spem in Alium Fund of the Toronto Foundation.

Pleasure Might Make Her Read Poems and Music for the Sidneys 7a - The Dolefull Lay of Clorinda by Lady Mary Sidney, Countess of Pembroke

Tracy Ryan reads part of a lament by Lady Mary Sidney, on the death of her brother Sir Philip Sidney, author of Astrophel and Stella and The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia, in original pronunciation of the time of Shakespeare and Sidney. These podcasts are supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Spem in Alium Fund of the Toronto Foundation. Pronunciation prepared by Hallie Fishel.

Pleasure Might Make Her Read - Poems and Music for the Sidneys 6b - Sir Phillip Sidneys Lamentacion by Anon.

Lutenist John Edwards plays Sir Phillip Sidneys Lamentacion from Matthew Holmes' Lute Book. These podcasts are supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Spem in Alium Fund of the Toronto Foundation.