Music from the 17th and 18th century. Two English baroque works for Saint Cecilia, the patron of music.
On 22 November, the patron of music Saint Cecilia is celebrated. In this programme, we hear two works which are connected to this saint’s day.
During the 17th century, it had become a tradition in England to give lustre to this day with musical performances. Henry Purcell wrote several odes for this saint’s day, but in this broadcast, we hear a much less-known ode, composed by Giovanni Battista Draghi (around 1640 – 1708). He was probably born in Rimini, and in the 60s of the 17th century he settled in England. We hear his ode for Saint Cecilia’s Day from 1687, to text of John Dryden.
The second work we hear, is an arrangement of Te Deum, composed by Purcell for Saint Cecilia’s Day in 1694.
Giovanni Battista Draghi (ca 1640-1708)
1. From harmony, from heav’nly harmony (Ode for St Cecilia’s Day 1687)
Suzie LeBlanc, Philippa Hyde, soprano. Michael Chance, Robin Blaze, alto. Joseph Cornwell, tenor. Richard Wistreich, bass. The Parley of Instruments, The Playford Consort conducted by Peter Holman and Richard Wistreich
(CD: Draghi, Blow, “Odes to Saint Cecilia” – Hyperion CDH55257, 1995/2007)
Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
2. Te Deum Laudamus (Z 232)
Nicholas Witcomb, Daniel Lochmann, Timothy Bowes, Philip Hallchurch, soprano. James Bowman, alto. Rogers Covey Crump, tenor. Michael George, bass. Choir of New College Oxford, The King’s Consort conducted by Robert King
(CD: “The complete sacred music of Henry Purcell” – Hyperion CDS44141/51, 2002)
Supplement:
Nicola Matteis (?-1714?)
3. Slow & Almaine
The Arcadian Academy
(CD: “Ayres for the Violin – Suites and Sonatas Vol. II” – Harmonia mundi HMU 907108, 1994)
