Henry Lawes's music, particularly his declamatory ayres, stuck exceptionally closely to the text, prefiguring the style of later composers like Locke and Purcell.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in December 2011 at the church of Amilly (Loiret), with Hugues Deschaux responsible for sound engineering and artistic direction.
Historical Context
The English Civil War and the Commonwealth period led to the dissolution of the King's Musick and Chapel Royal, leaving many musicians, including Henry Lawes, unemployed.
Compositional Technique
The 'stile nuovo' in music, which emerged in Italy, favored monody over polyphony, simplifying accompaniment to a bass line with figured harmony, giving more freedom to the singer.
Performer Biography
Jeffrey Thompson, the tenor on this recording, won first prize at the Chimay International Baroque Vocal Competition, chaired by William Christie.
Instruments
The periods of Charles I and Cromwell were a 'golden age' for the viol, with significant developments in its technique, including high positions, chordal playing, and frequent use of scordatura.
Composer Biography
Henry Lawes, born in 1595, was taught by the great Coperario, a prominent composer of the Elizabethan era.
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