The preferred instruments for 'private Musicke' in 17th-century England were the harp, various types of recorder, and the viol, which were built in families from bass to soprano.
Compositional Technique
The 'lyra viol', a viol with special tunings (scordatura), was popular in England for its ability to produce unique sounds and chords, with about 50 different tunings known.
Historical Context
During the austere regime of Oliver Cromwell in the 1650s, public fine arts suffered, but chamber music flourished in private salons.
Compositional Technique
Baroque English composers enjoyed playing with existing melodies and motifs, often using sections of the Mass, leading to instrumental works known as 'In Nomines'.
Historical Context
17th-century England, though politically turbulent with civil war between Crown and Parliament, was an astonishingly fruitful period musically.
Composer's Artistic Vision
English Baroque composers had a particular fondness for traditional dance tunes and songs from English and Celtic folk music, which lent a unique coloring to their compositions.
Interpretation
This recording uses a bagpipe to play the cantus firmus in Orlando Gibbons's 'In Nomine', as bagpipes were sometimes used as an organ substitute when no organ was available.
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